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Daily Record
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Iurie Iovu knows where Dundee United priorities lie as he parks assault on Europe for Premiership opener
The Moldova international was the hero for Jim Goodwin's men in midweek Iurie Iovu insists the only Rapid that Dundee United are focused on is their Premiership start at Falkirk. Jim Goodwin 's side face Rapid Vienna next week in the Conference League but before then they are looking for a winning start in the league at the Bairns tomorrow. Iovu knows his new team came unstuck there in the Premier Sports Cup last season but will go with confidence after back-to-back wins over UNA Strassen. The Moldovan, who scored the only goal in Luxembourg on Thursday night, said: 'We need to focus on each match. We have a busy schedule, and we cannot think about too far in the future. 'Our thoughts are on the next game, playing well against Falkirk, to listen to the coach and prepare well for a hard match. 'When you are the favourite against a team coming up from the lower division, they want to show themselves and will give more than 100 per cent so we need to be ready for this and not underestimate them.' Falkirk have an artificial pitch but that is not something that will faze the big defender. He said: 'I have played on artificial grass in my career and it cannot be an excuse. It is the same pitch for all 22 players. It doesn't matter.' Game On - Rangers' Champions League chances | Celtic's transfer activity | Premiership surprises The summer signing became an instant hero with his goal against UNA Strassen to give United their first win on European soil for 28 years. Iovu, told of his achievement, said: 'Really? Very nice, I did not know this. I am very excited to score my first goal after such a good cross from Zac (Sapsford). 'It was very special for me, it always is when your fans come away from home and make such a long journey to support the team. 'We must always give 100 per cent and show we are thankful for their time and effort to come here. But I am staying positive, trying to push and already thinking about the next game. 'We don't have time to analyse this too much, we need to improve and play well in the next game.' With two big European ties to come against Rapid, Iovu knows his team will need to up their game from Strassen but will go out to upset the odds. He added: 'We need to control the ball more and be cooler in possession. 'Rapid Vienna is a good team, I am delighted to have the chance to play against them. Anything can happen. 'There are lots of examples of smaller teams upsetting bigger teams, you never know. If you can show your qualities and give your maximum, all the possibilities are there.'
North Wales Chronicle
31-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Iurie Iovu strike makes sure of Dundee United's progression in Conference League
Jim Goodwin's new-look side carried a 1-0 win from the first leg of their second qualifier at Tannadice last week, courtesy a first goal for Australian striker Zac Sapsford but the visitors were unconvincing in the first half where both sides missed chances. However, in the 64th minute unmarked Moldova international Iovu alleviated any concerns when he headed in Sapsford's free-kick from close range for his first United goal since signing this summer from NK Istra 1961 to clinch a place in the next qualifying round with a 1-0 win, albeit considerable improvement is required. Much was made of the fact that the United side last week did not contain a Scottish player at kick-off. For the return game Goodwin drafted in Scot Craig Sibbald and Panutche Camara for Isaac Pappoe and Ryan Strain. The unchanged home side had their fair share of opportunities in the first half, starting in the ninth minute when Dundee United goalkeeper Yevhenii Kucherenko had to save a powerful drive from Eric Brandenburger before Daryl Myre thrashed the rebound over the bar. United responded with a series of sprightly attacks and in the 16th minute Sapsford mishit a cross from Bert Esselink just eight yards out and the ball flew over. At the other end, UNA Strassen's Edis Agovic got the break of ball 25 yards out and sent a drive wide of the target. In the 36th minute the visitors carved out a good chance when Sibbald played in Ivan Dolcek but his powerful drive was parried by home keeper Koray Ozcan. However, again the home side came back and in a swift counter-attack, Matheus De Souza raced clear down the right but screwed his shot across the face of Kucherenko's goal and past the far post. Both sides went at each other after the break but it was low quality fare. However, when Sapsford got fouled to the left-hand side of the UNA Strassen penalty area, he floated in the free-kick and Iovu had time and space to nod in from close range, to effectively seal the tie and give the travelling supporters something to cheer. The spirited home side kept going and in the 73rd minute Kucherenko made a decent save from substitute Nicolas Perez's drive and the Taysiders had to work until the final whistle to keep the clean sheet.
Powys County Times
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Iurie Iovu strike makes sure of Dundee United's progression in Conference League
Iurie Iovu's welcome second-half strike helped Dundee United to a 2-0 aggregate win over minnows UNA Strassen in their Conference League clash in Luxembourg. Jim Goodwin's new-look side carried a 1-0 win from the first leg of their second qualifier at Tannadice last week, courtesy a first goal for Australian striker Zac Sapsford but the visitors were unconvincing in the first half where both sides missed chances. However, in the 64th minute unmarked Moldova international Iovu alleviated any concerns when he headed in Sapsford's free-kick from close range for his first United goal since signing this summer from NK Istra 1961 to clinch a place in the next qualifying round with a 1-0 win, albeit considerable improvement is required. Much was made of the fact that the United side last week did not contain a Scottish player at kick-off. For the return game Goodwin drafted in Scot Craig Sibbald and Panutche Camara for Isaac Pappoe and Ryan Strain. The unchanged home side had their fair share of opportunities in the first half, starting in the ninth minute when Dundee United goalkeeper Yevhenii Kucherenko had to save a powerful drive from Eric Brandenburger before Daryl Myre thrashed the rebound over the bar. United responded with a series of sprightly attacks and in the 16th minute Sapsford mishit a cross from Bert Esselink just eight yards out and the ball flew over. At the other end, UNA Strassen's Edis Agovic got the break of ball 25 yards out and sent a drive wide of the target. In the 36th minute the visitors carved out a good chance when Sibbald played in Ivan Dolcek but his powerful drive was parried by home keeper Koray Ozcan. However, again the home side came back and in a swift counter-attack, Matheus De Souza raced clear down the right but screwed his shot across the face of Kucherenko's goal and past the far post. Both sides went at each other after the break but it was low quality fare. However, when Sapsford got fouled to the left-hand side of the UNA Strassen penalty area, he floated in the free-kick and Iovu had time and space to nod in from close range, to effectively seal the tie and give the travelling supporters something to cheer. The spirited home side kept going and in the 73rd minute Kucherenko made a decent save from substitute Nicolas Perez's drive and the Taysiders had to work until the final whistle to keep the clean sheet.
Leader Live
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Iurie Iovu strike makes sure of Dundee United's progression in Conference League
Jim Goodwin's new-look side carried a 1-0 win from the first leg of their second qualifier at Tannadice last week, courtesy a first goal for Australian striker Zac Sapsford but the visitors were unconvincing in the first half where both sides missed chances. However, in the 64th minute unmarked Moldova international Iovu alleviated any concerns when he headed in Sapsford's free-kick from close range for his first United goal since signing this summer from NK Istra 1961 to clinch a place in the next qualifying round with a 1-0 win, albeit considerable improvement is required. Much was made of the fact that the United side last week did not contain a Scottish player at kick-off. For the return game Goodwin drafted in Scot Craig Sibbald and Panutche Camara for Isaac Pappoe and Ryan Strain. The unchanged home side had their fair share of opportunities in the first half, starting in the ninth minute when Dundee United goalkeeper Yevhenii Kucherenko had to save a powerful drive from Eric Brandenburger before Daryl Myre thrashed the rebound over the bar. United responded with a series of sprightly attacks and in the 16th minute Sapsford mishit a cross from Bert Esselink just eight yards out and the ball flew over. At the other end, UNA Strassen's Edis Agovic got the break of ball 25 yards out and sent a drive wide of the target. In the 36th minute the visitors carved out a good chance when Sibbald played in Ivan Dolcek but his powerful drive was parried by home keeper Koray Ozcan. However, again the home side came back and in a swift counter-attack, Matheus De Souza raced clear down the right but screwed his shot across the face of Kucherenko's goal and past the far post. Both sides went at each other after the break but it was low quality fare. However, when Sapsford got fouled to the left-hand side of the UNA Strassen penalty area, he floated in the free-kick and Iovu had time and space to nod in from close range, to effectively seal the tie and give the travelling supporters something to cheer. The spirited home side kept going and in the 73rd minute Kucherenko made a decent save from substitute Nicolas Perez's drive and the Taysiders had to work until the final whistle to keep the clean sheet.
Rhyl Journal
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Iurie Iovu strike makes sure of Dundee United's progression in Conference League
Jim Goodwin's new-look side carried a 1-0 win from the first leg of their second qualifier at Tannadice last week, courtesy a first goal for Australian striker Zac Sapsford but the visitors were unconvincing in the first half where both sides missed chances. However, in the 64th minute unmarked Moldova international Iovu alleviated any concerns when he headed in Sapsford's free-kick from close range for his first United goal since signing this summer from NK Istra 1961 to clinch a place in the next qualifying round with a 1-0 win, albeit considerable improvement is required. Much was made of the fact that the United side last week did not contain a Scottish player at kick-off. For the return game Goodwin drafted in Scot Craig Sibbald and Panutche Camara for Isaac Pappoe and Ryan Strain. The unchanged home side had their fair share of opportunities in the first half, starting in the ninth minute when Dundee United goalkeeper Yevhenii Kucherenko had to save a powerful drive from Eric Brandenburger before Daryl Myre thrashed the rebound over the bar. United responded with a series of sprightly attacks and in the 16th minute Sapsford mishit a cross from Bert Esselink just eight yards out and the ball flew over. At the other end, UNA Strassen's Edis Agovic got the break of ball 25 yards out and sent a drive wide of the target. In the 36th minute the visitors carved out a good chance when Sibbald played in Ivan Dolcek but his powerful drive was parried by home keeper Koray Ozcan. However, again the home side came back and in a swift counter-attack, Matheus De Souza raced clear down the right but screwed his shot across the face of Kucherenko's goal and past the far post. Both sides went at each other after the break but it was low quality fare. However, when Sapsford got fouled to the left-hand side of the UNA Strassen penalty area, he floated in the free-kick and Iovu had time and space to nod in from close range, to effectively seal the tie and give the travelling supporters something to cheer. The spirited home side kept going and in the 73rd minute Kucherenko made a decent save from substitute Nicolas Perez's drive and the Taysiders had to work until the final whistle to keep the clean sheet.
