Moldova Cup. Women
The Moldova Women's Cup is a premier national knockout competition organized by the Football Association of Moldova (FAM). It brings together the country's top women's clubs in a fierce battle for glory, highlighting the rising prominence of women's football in a nation long dominated by men's leagues.
History and foundation
The tournament's history dates back to the mid-2000s, with the inaugural edition in 2005 marking the start of organized women's cup play. FC Miner from Ungheni holds the record with seven titles as of 2023. A standout moment came in 2019 when Miner crushed Yass with a 5-0 final score, setting a goal-scoring benchmark. Despite challenges like the COVID-19 disruptions, the cup rebounded strongly in 2021, even paving paths to European qualifiers for winners.
Tournament format
Employing a straightforward knockout format, the competition kicks off from the round of 16, with single-leg or two-legged ties progressing to the final on a neutral venue, often in Chisinau, drawing crowds up to 2,000. Matches follow standard 90-minute rules, extending to extra time and penalties if needed.
Interesting facts
Matches average 3.2 goals, fueled by attacking flair and defensive vulnerabilities. Top scorer Elena Rusu from Miner boasts 28 cup goals. Standouts include Cristina Munteanu of Real Sukceava, known for her flair and vision, and goalkeeper Anna Petrova, whose heroic saves in the 2020 and 2023 finals are legendary. Players like Rusu have caught eyes from Romanian and Ukrainian clubs, elevating Moldova's women's game.