Agony for Eric Johana as UTA Arad exit Romanian Cup after third round draw

Photo credit || UTA Arad

STARS ABROAD Agony for Eric Johana as UTA Arad exit Romanian Cup after third round draw

Mark Kinyanjui 14:23 - 06.12.2023

The former Mathare United midfielder played 45 minutes but could not lead his side to victory as a draw against Voluntari saw UTA Arad exit the Romanian Cup in the third round

Harambee Stars midfielder Eric Johana featured for 45 minutes but could not repeat his Saturday heroics as Romanian outfit UTA Arad were held to a 0-0 draw by Voluntari in their third match of the Copa Romaniei campaign on Tuesday.

The two teams met in the third stage of the Romanian Cup groups, at the Luliu Bodola stadium in Oradea. 

At the end of the 90 minutes, UTA and FC Voluntari had to share the points, meaning the latter have now qualified for the quarter-finals, while the Aradians exited the tournament.

Johana, who is yet to start a game for the side since joining, tried to be imaginative but could not find a way to help Arad unlock the stubborn Voluntari defence.

Arad head coach Mircea Rednic blamed the woeful state of the turf for failing to get all three points, adding that his players dominated the match, but did not manage to capitalise on the opportunities.

"We needed a win and I'm sorry that it wasn't Voluntari that gave us problems, but the pitch. We didn't manage to balance in front of the goal, we didn't make the best decision," said Rednic.

“We didn't manage to score, we dominated, we had possession, but we couldn't put it in the goal. I have nothing to blame them, the players wanted the victory, they worked.

“After the match with those from Sibiu, fatigue accumulated, Kevin had come after an injury, I didn't want to risk it, Mihai couldn't train. There was no point in using them. The situation would have been different with the four players, with Marcelo, with Capușa.

“I have nothing to complain about them, maybe more courage in front of the goal, more balance, maybe also because of the pitch. I say we deserved to qualify."

UTA Arad finished the Romanian Cup group campaign in fourth place with four points, recording a victory, a draw and a defeat.

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