Sport

Romanian champions Cluj move into CL next round riding on no-away goal rule

14 Jul 2021

Cluj players during a practice session. Courtsey: Instagram

Gulf Today Report

Romanian champions Cluj advanced to the next round of Champions League by virtue of new no-away-goal rule.

They booked their berth in the next round with a 4-3 aggregate victory over their rivals Borac Banja Luka despite a 2-1 loss in the match.

The UEFA had done a little tweaking in the regulations and aborted the away-goal rule.

If the old rule had to be applied, Borac Banja Luka would have advanced to the next round when the score was tied at three apiece, because of they had scored in away game.

But the game went into the extra time thus the Romanian champions scored the decisive goal in dying moments to book their berth in the next round of the continental championship of the clubs.

The away-goal rule was made in 1965 to fete the touring team for showing the gallantry of taking heads on the rivals at their arena.

Under the new FIFA chief, a number of new rules have been introduced and some tweaked to bring a breath of fresh air in the game, making it more interesting.

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is one such rule that was introduced to facilitate the on-field referees with the help of TV umpire like that of cricket.