CHIAJNA, Romania (Interstat) — Nacho Heras scored in the 63rd minute to lift Sepsi to a 1-1 draw at Concordia on Thursday in a competition match that remained level after an early Concordia lead and a series of second-half changes. Alex Gualda had put Concordia ahead in the 34th minute, but Sepsi answered after the break and held the hosts to a draw. Both teams moved to 0-0-1 in this competition. Sepsi is 1-3-2 across all competitions, while Concordia is 1-2-2 overall. The result left each side with one draw in the competition and added another tight match to their early-season records with the scoreline level at the final whistle.

Gualda’s goal came in the 34th minute after Concordia pressed early. The hosts had already seen Ghindovean D. booked in the fourth minute. Concordia’s lead held until halftime. Sepsi made a substitution at 45+1 involving Davordzie C. Concordia made substitutions at 46 involving Padureanu I. and Ghindovean D. At 58, Concordia made substitutions involving Gualda A. and Chamorro A. Gualda’s statline ended at 58 minutes with one goal. Concordia’s early pressure produced the opening goal, but Sepsi stayed within reach before the interval. The visitors made substitutions after the interval.

Sepsi’s equalizer came at 63 when Heras scored. Heras played the full 90 minutes and finished with one goal. After the goal, Concordia received a yellow card at 65, and Balasa M. was booked at 80. Sepsi made substitutions at 59 involving Otelita B., Batzula H. and Keita A., and another at 82 involving Mawa M. Concordia made a substitution at 81 involving Chiritoiu A. The match remained level at 1-1 after the equalizer. Concordia had three yellow cards in the match, and Sepsi made five substitutions overall.

The match had three yellow cards, all to Concordia. Ghindovean D. was booked at 4, an unnamed Concordia player at 65, and Balasa M. at 80. Sepsi’s substitution sequence began with Davordzie C. at 45+1. Otelita B., Batzula H. and Keita A. were involved at 59, and Mawa M. at 82. Concordia’s substitutions involved Padureanu I. and Ghindovean D. at 46, Gualda A. and Chamorro A. at 58, and Chiritoiu A. at 81. Heras remained on for the full match and scored the equalizer in the second half for Sepsi. Gualda finished with one goal in 58 minutes.

The draw continued a busy run for both sides. Sepsi entered after a 5-0 loss to Univ. Craiova, a 1-1 draw at Petrolul, a 2-0 loss to Dinamo Bucuresti, a 3-1 loss to FC CFR 1907 Cluj and a 2-0 win at Slatina. Concordia entered after a 2-2 draw at Unirea Slobozia, a 5-0 home win over Selimbar, a 3-2 loss at Chindia Targoviste and a 3-2 home loss to Steaua Bucuresti. The match stayed tight after the break, and neither side found a winner in the final stretch of the second half. Sepsi’s overall record now includes one win, three losses and two draws. Concordia’s overall record includes one win, two losses and two draws. Both teams remained without a loss in this competition and have one draw apiece. Sepsi is scheduled to visit Otelul in the Superliga and later Petrolul Ploiesti in the Cupa României. Concordia is scheduled to visit CSM Slatina in Liga II.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Concordia 3, Sepsi 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Concordia with a 90.8 percent probability to win. Concordia had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 2 went over the over/under line of 2.5.