Stars Abroad: Odada features as CFR Cluj dent UTA Arad’s play-off hopes
Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 05.02.26. | 09:46
The win marked CFR Cluj’s sixth consecutive league victory and significantly boosted their push towards the playoff places, while dealing a major blow to UTA Arad’s qualification hopes
Harambee Stars defensive midfielder Richard Odada featured for UTA Arad as CFR Cluj secured a vital 1-0 away victory over UTA Arad in the 25th round of the Romanian SuperLiga regular season.
Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More News
The win marked CFR Cluj’s sixth consecutive league victory and significantly boosted their push towards the playoff places, while dealing a major blow to UTA Arad’s qualification hopes.
Daniel Pancu’s side, which endured a disastrous first half of the season, appeared destined to miss out on the top six as recently as December.
However, a remarkable turnaround has reignited their campaign, with the team now firmly back in contention for a playoff berth.
Despite missing several key players, Pancu has assembled a disciplined and hard-working unit, with a top-six finish at the end of the regular season increasingly realistic.
Following victories over Oțelul Galați, FCSB, and Metaloglobus, CFR Cluj extended their fine run with another crucial result on the road against UTA Arad.
The hosts, coached by Adrian Mihalcea, created several chances in the first half but failed to break the deadlock, heading into the interval.
CFR Cluj took control after the restart and made the breakthrough in the 68th minute when Meriton Korenica finished off a superb attacking move, following a decisive assist from Alibek Aliev.
UTA Arad pressed late in search of an equalizer, but CFR defended resolutely, with goalkeeper Popa also stepping up when required. The visitors squandered several opportunities to seal the game, ensuring tension remained until the final whistle.
Nevertheless, UTA was unable to find the net, and the match ended 1-0, a result that further complicates their playoff calculations.
CFR Cluj climbed to seventh place with 38 points, level with UTA Arad, who dropped to eighth due to an inferior goal difference.
The two sides could still be overtaken by Oțelul Galați, who must avoid defeat against Universitatea Craiova in their midweek fixture on Thursday.
The tightly contested battle between fourth and 11th place has also increased pressure on FCSB, who can no longer afford slip-ups if they are to secure a playoff spot.
The reigning champions host sixth-placed FC Botoșani in this round, with any result other than a win likely to be damaging for Elias Charalambous’ side.
Odada operated in a double-layered midfield system ahead of a back four, with three attacking players further forward, as CFR Cluj lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The former Dundee United midfielder played the full 90 minutes and delivered a steady performance. He attempted one cross, which was unsuccessful, and completed 48 of his 62 passes for a 77 percent overall passing accuracy.
In the opposition half, Odada completed 29 of 39 passes for a 74 percent success rate, while in his own half, he recorded 83 percent accuracy, completing 19 of 23 passes.
Defensively, the Kenyan international registered one interception and one clearance, made 11 recoveries, won one ground duel, and claimed two aerial duels out of three.
Odada finished the match with 68 touches, losing possession 16 times. He carried the ball 20 times, covering a total distance of 205.1 meters, with a total progression of minus 13.7 meters.
