CSKA defeat Lokomotiv 4-1
By: j |
Add Comments
At the young age of twenty-five Yuri Zhirkov has established himself as the premier Russian player today. An extraordinary gifted player who can change the match in the briefest of moments, the young attacker seems on the verge of a major breakthrough on the world stage. For those who frequent Moskva’s Luzhniki Stadium the single mention of the name “Yuri” through the public address system is a prompt to join-in with a rousing reponse “Zhirkov.”
That chant was echoing through the stadium Sunday as Yuri along with teenage sensation Alan Dzagoev led CSKA Moskva to a overwhelming 4-1 victory over Lokomotiv Moskva. The victory gets the pre-season favourite of many to win the championship back on winning form after early season stumbles. The Zico led CSKA had to do without Russian international Aleksei Berezutskiy and goal scorer extraordinaire Vágner Love. However in a brilliant decision, CSKA brought in seventeen year-old Georgi Shchennikov to the back-line along with former Slavia Praha striker Tomáš Necid.
After an early Miloš Krasić cross was headed wide by Alan Dzagoev the young Russia provided the Army-Men the 1-0 lead as he struck a perfect dipping free-kick over the wall and into the upper left corner of Lokomotiv’s ‘keepers Marek Čech goal. Ten minutes after the break Luzhniki roared as CSKA made it 2-0 as Evgeni Aldonin surging down the right flank cut the ball back to Yuri Zhirkov for a perfect finish from twelve metres. With eighteen minutes remaining Miloš Krasić made it look easy as he sent a high floating cross to the top of the six-yard box that Alan Dzagoev nodded in for the second of his day. Lokomotiv managed to get one past premier ‘keeper Igor Akinfeev seven minutes later as Montenegrin international Marko Baša flicked on a well placed free-kick. Moussa Maazou, who had come on for Tomáš Necid earlier made it 4-1 with three minutes left as he turned in Yuri Zhirkov’s provision from the left after a long run by Miloš Krasić. Upon scoring the promising young Nigerian star showed a level of maturity far beyond his age and quickly made his way towards Zico to celebrate.
CSKA return to play next Sunday against Khimki while Lokomotiv welcome Zenit Saint Petersburg.
Category: Team News
Aleksandr Kerzhakov provides Dinamo 1-0 victory
By: j | Add Comments
Dinamo Moskva overcame a stubborn FC Rostov to win 1-0 despite playing a man down for much of the match. After Leandro Fernández was shown a straight red-card eight minutes before the half with his stiff challenge of Maksim Astafyev Dinamo was forced to play a man down. However despite the disadvantage, Dinamo continued to flourish with Aleksandr Kerzhakov and teenager sensation Aleksandr Kokorin causing fits for Rostov. Finally with thirteen minutes remaining Ivan Živanović was adjudged to bringing down young Mr. Kokorin and the spot was pointed to. Russian international Aleksandr Kerzhakov stepped up and quickly deposited the ball to the back of the net giving Dinamo the 1-0 lead and eventual victory.
With the victory Dinamo maintain their first place position Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia with Rostov holding mid-table.
Category: Team NewsFC Moskva overwhelms Spartak
By: j | Add Comments
Spartak Moskva continued to falter in the early season, losing 3-1 to FC Moskva at Eduard Streltsov Stadium Saturday afternoon. With the loss, Spartak finds itself near the bottom of the table and whilst the Citizens enjoy their first victory of the year.
Michael Laudrup’s day turned for worse quickly as two minutes in ball played into Héctor Bracamonte near the six yard box was left uncleared before Edgaras Česnauskis slotted the ball to the roof of the net. Young Moldovan international Alexandru Epureanu doubled the margin fourteen minutes later in what quickly became a long day for Spartak as he headed-in Aleksandr Samedov’s free-kick at the post. With twenty minutes remaining Aleksandr Samedov’s free-kick from outside the area was headed in by Spartak Moskva product Dmitri Tarasov to make it it 3-0. With three minutes remaining Alex (Meschini), formerly of Internacional, connected from the spot for Spartak as the match concluded with FC Moskva winning 3-1.
Category: Team NewsSummary of Week three of Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia
By: j | Add Comments
Week three of Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia continued with a exciting series of matches, including a number of surprises.
On Saturday FC Moskva and defending champions Rubin Kazan played to a scoreless draw. Although neither side was able to break through it was an absolutely brilliant match as the Citizens certainly played with a passion that naturally started with a moment of silence in respect for Vladimir Fedotov’s passing. Despite being outmatched by the defending champions and without Aleksandr Sheshukov and Dacosta Goore, Miodrag Božović Muscovite’s were committed in their defending. The match marked the debut of nineteen year-old defender Gia Grigalava for the Citizens with highly positive results. Late efforts by Mosckva came close to snatching the victory but it was not to be and the match ended without a mark.
Terek Grozny looks keen to make a run at a European spot as they defeated Dinamo Moskva 1-0. Veteran Timur Dzhabrailov showed he still has a lot to give Grozny as he netted the winner thirteen minutes. After a foul on Blagoy Georgiev, the former Slavia Sofia man sent a free kick in that the veteran powered in. After being unable to find the needed venom to break through Grozny defenders, Andrey Kobelev called upon young striker Fyodor Smolov but unfortunately he left a few minutes later with an injury.
Jürgen Röber’s Alien’s earned their first win of the year as Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast defeated Kuban Krasnodar 2-1 with veteran Dmitri Kirichenko scoring twice. Dramane Traoré leveled the match for Krasnodar’s Cossacks three minutes after Dmitri Kirichenko opened the scoring at the half hour. However the veteran goal-scorer left no doubts as he found the winner four minutes before the hour.
Photo Credit: Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast
On Sunday Zenit Saint Petersburg overwhelmed Tom’ Tomsk 3-0. Weighted down with player fatigue on international duty, the match was slow in play prior to the break. However with a final push after the break Fernando Meira, formerly of Galatasaray and VfB Stuttgart, notched his first goal for Zenit as he re-directed Viktor Fayzulin’s corner in. Russian international Igor Denisov made it 2-0 only five minutes later as he latched onto a poorly cleared ball and sent it to the back of the net. After an outstanding week for Russia, Konstantin Zyryanov set up the final goal with a powerful forty-metre run before sliding the ball to Fatih Tekke to close out from six metres with eight minutes remaining.
Following the match, Fernando Meira said of his first goal for Zenit:
“I am very happy, that I scored my first goal for new team in the third match, but would like to note, that for me it is much more important, that we managed to keep a shut-out in defense and grab the final victory. Of course it is cool, that I scored the opener in the game. But I always considered team’s overall success in the match as a common success. My goal was just an episode, which let my team take three points from Tomsk.”
Photo Credit: Zenit Saint Petersburg
Lokomotiv Moskva notched its first win of the year in a gritty, tough 2-1 victory over Krylya Sovetov. Challenges were harsh as both sides know they are capable of European spot. Belarusian international Timofei Kalachev gave Krysy the lead two minutes before the half hour only to see Lokomotiv storm back after the break. Oleg Kuzmin (Олег Кузьмин) who made the cross-town switch from FC Moskva this winter leveled the match ten minutes after the break. After a controversial call pulled Jan Koller’s goal off for Krysy, Tomislav Dujmović scored with three minutes remaining to give Lokomotiv the 2-1 victory.
CSKA Moskva’s disappointing start under Zico continued with a scoreless draw to Amkar Perm. For much of the match Amkar controlled the run of play and only the stubborn back line lead by Vasili Berezutski and Sergei Ignashevich. The Army-Men were further plagued with the sending off of Lithuanian Deividas Šemberas late and were spent the later stages holding off Amkar. The match raised further questions of Zico’s tactical lineup as Alan Dzagoev was left out of the starting eleven and did not enter, despite being fully-fit
After a difficult start to the season Michael Laudrup’s Spartak Moskva found the winning elixir as they defeated Spartak Nalchik 2-0. Far beyond the scoring marks of the match was the return of Denis Boyarintsev to Spartak. Entering late to the unwavering support of Luzhniki Stadium since returning from Shinnik Yaroslavl the thirty-one year old midfielder looked comfortable in his return home. Spartak’s winning goal came a minute before the break as Alex with Welliton doubling the margin four minutes after the restart.
Finally on Friday the weeks matches started with a shocking upset as Rostov defeated Khimki 1-0 as former Torpedo Moskva striker Igor Lebedenko scored the winner with fifteen minutes remaining.
Category: Team NewsWeek 3 of Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia
By: j | Add Comments
Week three of Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia continues this weekend with a series of exciting matches.
However the storyline of all matches will first note the tremendous loss of Vladimir Fedotov who passed away this week at the age of sixty-six. The legendary CSKA Moskva striker appeared in 382 matches during 1960 and 1975 as well as being capped twenty-two times by the Soviet Union. After his playing days concluded Mr. Fedotov was a fixture in the coaching world including with CSKA, Spartak Moskva as well as leading FC SKA Rostov to winning the 1981 Soviet Cup. In June of 2007 he joined FC Moskva as sporting director and was a major part of their growth. With the utmost respect he will be missed by all and be remembered for this extraordinary impact upon the sport in Russia.
The weekend started with a shocking FC Rostov 1-0 defeat of FC Khimki with former Torpedo Moskva striker Igor Lebedenko scoring the winner with fifteen minutes remaining.
Saturday
Dinamo Moskva @ Terek Grozny
FC Moskva @ Rubin Kazan
Kuban Krasnodar @ Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast
Sunday
Zenit St Petersburg @ Tom’ Tomsk
Krylya Sovetov @ Lokomotiv Moskva
CSKA Moskva @ Amkar Perm’
Spartak Nalchik @ Spartak Moskva
Please drop by for a full recap following the matches.
Category: Team NewsBad week continues for CSKA Moskva losing 1-0 to Tom’ Tomsk
By: j | Add Comments
After being cast out of the UEFA Cup from Ukraine rivals Shakhtar Donetsk, it was expected that CSKA Moskva would unleash a torrent of aggression against Tom’ Tomsk on Monday. However to the shock of all the Army-Men, who most consider as the favourite to win the Russian crown this year, fell 1-0 to Tomsk at a cavernous Luzhniki Stadium.
For the match Zico placed seventeen year-old Georgi Shchennikov in his starting eleven and the youngster fit in well with the back-line trio of Russian capped defenders Sergei Ignashevich, Aleksei Berezutskiy and Vasili Berezutskiy. However it was the Siberian side that pulled off the shocker as Macedonian international Goran Maznov scored in the first minute of the match as crept into the six yard box to head in a corner.
The Army Men can storming back with Yuri Zhirkov the creator of a number of chances but in a rare off-day, he couldn’t beat the keeper eight minutes into the new half as went in alone on him and twenty minutes later Vágner Love was completely off target with a glorious chance. Zico called upon Miloš Krasić and Tomáš Necid later but neither could make the mark and in a shocking conclusion Tom Tomsk returned to Siberia from the capital with three points.
Category: Team NewsSunday wrap-up of Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia
By: j | Add Comments
Followers of Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia are headed for an exciting campaign as Sunday’s matches provided a series of surprises.
In the match of the day, Zenit St Petersburg defeated Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast 2-1. After drawing 1-1 to Spartak Moscow in their opening match, Zenit was anxious for a victory but would need to play the match without the backing of their fans as the match was played in an imposed closed door setting. Beyond the lack of involvement from their always supportive home support, combined with the troubling pitch at Petrovsky Stadium and clearly fatigued from recent play, it was not going to be easy for Dick Advocaat’s men. Zenit took the lead on Ivica Križanac acrobatic scissors kick ten minutes after the start. The Aliens squared the match up nine minutes before the break as Bosnia and Herzegovina international Marko Topić took advantage of lax defending. However Fatih Tekke, who had come in for Viktor Faitzulin just before the hour scored the winning goal with an efficient finish with twenty-three minutes remaining. The margin could have been increased seven minutes later as Anatoliy Tymoschuk stepped up the spot but he completely mishit the ball as it drifted to the left of the goal. However with the lead Zenit were able to hold off the Aliens and took the 2-1 victory.
Elsewhere defending champion Rubin Kazan, who opened their season last week with 3-0 victory over Kuban Krasnodar were held to a nil draw by Spartak Nalchik. It was stunning rebound for Nalchik who lost last week 1-0 to Terek Grozny.
Lokomotiv Moskva who opened last week with a 1-1 draw to Khimki repeated the scoreline against Rostov, with Dennis Glushakov netting his second goal of the early year as time wound down. Serbian international Branimir Petrović opened the match for the host five minutes before the break.
Photo Credit: Football Club Zenit Saint Petersburg
Category: Team NewsSaturday wrap up of Russian Premier League
By: j | Add Comments
After an exciting opening week of the season, Saturdays result in the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia did not disappoint with four exciting matches.
Certainly the surprise of the day was Spartak Moscow losing 1-0 to Kuban Krasnodar. After a strong 1-1 draw to Zenit last week, Michael Laudrup’s Spartak side were a strong favourite but came crashing down in Krasnodar. After a penalty miss twenty one minutes in the match by new-man Alex, formerly of Internacional, the home side took the lead with Dramane Traoré score just past the half hour mark. While Spartak manager Michael Laudrup tinkered with lineup, they could not break through Kuban and lost 1-0. For Kuban it was there first victory of the campaign after being demolished by Rubin Kazan last week 3-0.
Krylia Sovetov followed up last weeks 1-0 victory over Tom’ Tomsk with another one goal victory, this time over Amkar Perm. To no surprise Czech Republic veteran Jan Koller found the mark just before the hour in a well played, efficient match. While still too early as cause alarm, this is Perm’s second consecutive scoreless match and while they play a highly disciplined style, they must address this trend.
The start of Miodrag Božović era at FC Moskva continued with scoreless draw to Terek Grozny in a highly physical affair. The Citizens who lost in the final moments last week against Dinamo were not able to overcome their visitors as both sides showed solid defending. Grozny, who defeated Spartak Nalchik last week 1-0 on Cléber’s late goal, are particularly troubled early in the season with a number of injuries but once fully-fit are more than capable of being in the upper half of the table.
Finally in an exciting match Dinamo Moscow defeated Khimki 3-2. Played in a wet snowfall, Dinamo, who defeated FC Moskva on Alexander Kerzhakov late goal last week, opened the scoring with the highly promising teenager Aleksandr Kokorin finding the net twenty-one minutes in. Dinamo had troubles defending throughout the match due to the slippery conditions and six minutes later Eldar Nizamutdinov beautifully half-volleyed a cross in to bring the match even. The goal scoring spree didn’t stop as two minutes before the half hour Alexander Kerzhakov found the back of the net from the spot. However once again Dinamo was victimized by poor defending in the difficult environment, this time Leandro Fernández poorly judging a ball allowing Serbian Miodrag Jovanović to come in on ‘keeper Vladimir Gabulov and strike to the near post. Victory was in the offering for Dinamo as Dmitri Kombarov’s cross was headed in by Aleksandr Dimidko on the hour mark.
Category: Team NewsZenit out of UEFA Cup with loss to Udinese
By: j | Add Comments
With an ominous start to the year defending UEFA Cup champions Zenit Saint Petersburg were unceremoniously dropped from the tournament after losing to Udinese. After losing the opening leg of the showdown 2-0, Zenit returned to the Petrovsky in need of last two goals but were only able to win 1-0. With the result the Italian side heads forward into the next round and Dick Advocaat will be left wondering the true strength of his club as they were unable to break down a lower-table Serie A side not known for its defending.
Zenit came into the match frustrated from the results of the opening leg where they gave up late marks to Fabio Quagliarella and Antonio Di Natale. Without the services of injured defenders Tomáš Hubočan and Nicolas Lombaerts as well as Roman Shirokov and Aleksandr Anyukov in the sin-bin, Zenit still packed a top-flight punch. While the trophy holders swarmed the pitch in the opening half they went to the break with only Ukraine international Anatoliy Tymoschuk header off a corner eleven minutes before the break. Hunting voraciously for the leveler, Zenit came close but with each effort the final touch only brought remorse. Finally with Zenit committing forward, opportunities were endless for Udinese and they controlled the final third of the match as it ended with a 1-0 victory for Zenit but with little consolation as they fall out of the tournament on aggregate.
Category: Team NewsArmy Men ousted in UEFA Cup by Shakhtar Donetsk
By: j | Add Comments
After winning the opening leg against Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 at Luzhniki Stadium, CSKA Moskva were defeated 2-0 by the legendary Ukraine side in Donetsk. The victory casts the Moskva side, who many cast as a late favourite to hoist the trophy, out of the tournament and will leave many wondering the tactical direction they choose.
For the match CSKA Moskva manager Zico was without Yury Zhirkov who was suspended for the match and without the great Russian international it was obvious that the Army-Men lacked any punch. Knowing that an “away” goal by the visitors would likely see them through, Mircea Lucescu’s Shakhtar’s side totally controlled CSKA and scoring threats by the visitors were few and far between. Playing quite cautiously CSKA held the home side off the mark before the break but eight minutes after a restart the match took a dramatic turn as they spot was pointed to when Pavel Mamaev fouled Fernandinho in the area. Grabbing the ball Fernandinho drove the ball into the lower left corner to give Shakhtar the one goal margin and total command of play. Five minutes past the hour Zico called upon Evgeni Aldonin and Daniel Carvalho but without an attacking threat by CSKA, Shakhtar doubled the margin with twenty minutes remaining as Luiz Adriano struck from twelve metres out. Knowing CSKA would advance with a goal, Shakhtar completely shut down the visitors and won 2-0 and now advance to the next round of the UEFA Cup.
Category: Team News
Home 
