In the opening contest of Sunday in match-day twenty-seven of the Sogaz Championship of Russia, Amkar Perm under new manager Miodrag Božović defeated visiting Kuban Krasnodar 3-1.

The Red-Blacks wasted little time asserting their authority as three minutes after the opening whistle Nikola Mijailović latched onto the loose ball just inside the box and bounded a volley into the top right corner of the net.

Chances were non-existent until the fifty-eighth minute when Igor Armaş was adjudged a penalty for bringing down Sergei Volkov in the area. In the ensuing effort Josip Knežević drove the ball into the net to give the Ural Mountain side the two goal advantage. Fifteen minutes shy of regulation time the match was fait accompli as Nikita Burmistrov brought Zahari Sirakov’s lofted cross from the right down with his chest before volleying into the near corner of the net. After Josip Knežević received his second-yellow card at the eighty-fifth minute, Gig Bucur added a consolation goal for Kuban but it mattered little as Amkar Perm laid claim to the 3-1 victory.

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In the final contest of Saturday in match-day twenty-six of the Sogaz Championship of Russia, Andriy Voronin led Dynamo Moscow past Krasnodar 2-1 at Arena Khimki.

The upstart visitors, one of the years surprises after fortuitously being promoted due to the financial collapse of Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast took the lead at the twenty-eighth minute as Nikola Drinčić’s long free-kick from the left was headed into the net from six metres by a diving Evgeniy Shipitsyn. The White-Blues wasted no time in responding as two minutes past the half hour Andriy Voronin hit the mark in his first of two goals. Coming off the right Aleksandr Samedov played in Igor Semshov with a sumptuous through ball on the right before the veteran surged towards the by-line and delivering a cross that Andriy Voronin redirected off his chest and into the net.

The vaunted Dynamo attack continued to probe for the winner and with sixteen minutes remaining regulation time they found what they were looking for with Andriy Voronin notching his twelfth of the campaign. Via a quick counter assault Igor Semshov surged past the defender alone on the keeper on the right side of the area, with Andriy Voronin flanking to his left, before sending a cross that the Ukraine international side footed into the net to give Dynamo Moscow the 2-1 victory.

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CSKA Moscow continued its push to the top of the table with resounding 3-0 victory over Anzhi Makhachkala at Arena Khimki in match day fourteen of the Sogaz Championship of Russia.

The Army-Men went in front 1-0 at the fifth minute as Vágner Love latched onto Seydou Doumbia’s provision at the top of the area before pounding it into left bottom corner of the net. Three minutes shy of the half-hour the margin was double as Pavel Mamaev played a slick back heel to Keisuke Honda before the former VVV Venlo man moved into the area to send a left footed effort from twelve metres into the root of the net.

The of Dagestan’s side best opportunity came after the break when Robert Carlos flashed an effort from the left that forced CSKA ‘keeper Igor Akinfeev to stretch out to deny. With twenty-nine minutes remaining Alan Dzagoev put the contest out of reach as he latched onto Sergei Ignashevich’s deflected free kick and sent the ball in from six metres to secure CSKA Moscow’s 3-0 victory.

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John Davies is available on his personal page on Facebook, Renegade Training™’s, as well as or Twitter.

In addition to Europa League News, John Davies writes on the “Beautiful Game” for Russian media giant Sport-Express. (Спорт-Экспресс) as well as Spartak Moscow

Krylya Sovetov ended its winless drought that stretched back to week four with a 1-0 victory over Kuban Krasnodar in match day fourteen of the Sogaz Championship of Russia.

In a quick start, the Samaran’s narrowly missed taking the lead when Yevgeny Savin’s effort from distance forced Krasnodar goalkeeper Aleksandr Budakov. Later Kuban pushed to break the deadlock as long through ball intended for Lacina Traoré was corralled by host ‘keeper Raïs M’Bolhi as the contest went to the break scoreless.

Much of the play after the re-start was tight, as chances came at premium until Krylya broke through with thirteen minutes remaining in regulation time. Coming via a deflected cross from the left to the back post, Slovenian international Nejc Pečnik volleyed his first goal of the campaign to the near side of the net. After repelling Kuban’s efforts for the equalizer, Krylya Sovetov claimed the important three points with a 1-0 victory.

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John Davies is available on his personal page on Facebook, Renegade Training™’s, as well as or Twitter.

In addition to Europa League News, John Davies writes on the “Beautiful Game” for Russian media giant Sport-Express. (Спорт-Экспресс) as well as Spartak Moscow

In the final weekend of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia 2010 campaign, relegation condemned Sibir Novosibirsk’s visit of Chechnya ended with a 1-1 draw, honours even.

For Igor Kriushenko’s Sibir, their fate had long since been sealed but to their credit they have continued the fight the good fight each week. Grozny, who has seen their once flirtation with Europe dwindle to a free fall collapse towards the relegation zone with a scant win since the start of September entered the contest without the services of Maurício and Zaur Sadayev.

Anatoly Baidachny’s host side took the lead at the seventh minute coming from a quick assault on the left led by Andrei Kobenko. The twenty-eight year-old veteran fed the ball to Héctor Bracamonte on the left channel, whose acute angle effort was saved by Sibir ‘keeper Alexei Solosin, only to see Shamil Asildarov drive the rebound into the right bottom corner of the net from eleven metres.

In the search for the leveller, Mr. Kriushenko summoned Tomáš Čížek and Yevgeni Zinovyev for Maxim Astafiev and Igor Shevchenko at the break, with his counterpart adding Antonio Ferreira for Sergei Omelyanchuk. The move paid off for the Siberians as with nineteen minutes left in the proceedings, Tomáš Čížek, from ten metres, headed Vagiz Galiulin cross from the left flank into the net. Both sides had ample opportunity to break the deadlock but the contest ended without further incident as a 1-1 draw, honours even.

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On Sunday in match day twenty-eight of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia Lokomotiv Moscow was held to a 1-1 draw by relegation condemned Sibir Novosibirsk.

With the Cherkizovo faithful in full song, the Railwayman attacked with intent but found each advance stopped by Sibir ‘keeper Alexei Solosin.
Igor Kriushenko’s Siberian side continuously repelled Lokomotiv’s efforts as the match went to the break scoreless.

After the break, Lokomotiv continued to probe for the go-ahead goal and finally broke through three minutes past the hour when Dmitri Sychev powerfully fought his way through three defenders on the left side of the box before burying the ball into the net. The Railwaymen continued to dictate play and should have doubled the lead but Alan Gatagov sent a close range rebound far off course and Rodolfo later sending an effort off the woodwork. Lokomotiv payed dearly for those squandered chances as at the eighty-sixth minute Dzmitry Molosh fired the ball from beyond the area to square the contest. Yuriy Semin’s side went immediately back on the hunt for the winner but it could not be found and the match concluded as a 1-1 draw.

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In the opening contest of Sunday in match day twenty-seven of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia, Zenit Saint Petersburg took at step closer to clinching the title as they defeated Sibir Novosibirsk 5-2.

Sibir manager Igor Kriushenko, whose side has only the faintest of chances to avoid relegation to the First Division, made four changes to his starting eleven that lost to Dynamo Moscow last week with Wojciech Kowalewski returning to goalkeeping duties for Petr Vašek, along with Dzmitry Molosh, Veliče Šumulikoski and Aleksandr Degtyarov coming in for Adessoye Oyewole, Tomáš Čížek and Roger Cañas.

Luciano Spalletti, whose Zenit Saint Petersburg side defeated Hajduk Split in the Europa League on Thursday, completely shifted his line-up with Aleksandr Aniukov and Igor Denisov repeating their starting roles.

In dire need of a victory Ivan Nagibin gave the hosts a shock 1-0 lead ninety seconds after the opening whistle as his speculative shot from outside the area bounded off the mitts of Zenit ‘keeper Yuriy Zhevnov and into the left corner of the net. The Siberian supporters were in disbelief four minutes later as their side went in front 2-0 as Bartłomiej Grzelak was played through by Veliče Šumulikoski after a uncharacteristic defending effort by Zenit before burying the ball into the net from ten metres. The fast break pace did not let up and at the thirteenth minute, Zenit halved the margin as Vladimir Bystrov was played through the channel by a sumptuous back heel by Danny before scoring his sixth goal of the campaign from twelve metres from the right. Just over a minute later, the match was squared up as Belgian international Nicolas Lombaerts showed his ability to score off set-pieces and he headed a free kick from the left to the back post.

At the break, the Mr. Kriushenko summoned Tomáš Čížek into his Siberian line-up for Aleksandr Degtyarov as they looked to restore their lead. Chances were modest and just shy of the hour, Zenit injected Sergei Semak into the fray for Vladimir Bystrov and within minutes the soon to be champions detonated the hosts in three rapid-fire goals. On the hour, Konstantin Zyryanov carved out an opening on the low edge of the box before sending a cross that Danny deftly re-directed into the Sibir net for the 3-2 advantage. The hosts clearly lost their composure as two minutes later the margin was doubled as Sergei Semak received Danko Lazović’s provision from the right by-line and drove his first goal of the year into the opposite, left corner of the net. At the sixty-sixth minute, the skipper Aleksandr Aniukov put his name on the scoresheet, with equally his first goal of the championship season from the edge of the area he sent in Aleksandr Kerzhakov’s pass off a free kick. With Zenit’s travelling supporters in full song the contest concluded without further incident as their side laid claim to the 5-2 victory.

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Saturday in match day twenty-six of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia features and abbreviated schedule of two contests as Dynamo Moscow welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk at Arena Khimki, whilst Rostov visits the capital to face Spartak.

In the opening match of the day, the White-Blues face a must-win against visit Sibir, who equally know their hopes of avoiding relegation is fading quickly. The White-Blues have managed to claw their way to seventh in the table but will need a late surge if they are to make up lost ground and earn a spot in the Europa League. Miodrag Božović’s side did well bolting down CSKA midweek in a scoreless draw, with much owing to goalkeeper Anton Shunin but are still in need of greater service to Kevin Kurányi and Ukrainian international Andriy Voronin. The Dynamo tactician is without the services of Alexandru Epureanu and Adrian Ropotan due to suspension. Sibir’s hopes of relegation are growing dimmer each week as they are now six points from safety and though they did well in a draw against Spartak last week, a victory is in order if they wish to avoid the drop. Sibir manager Igor Kriushenko, is without the services of Veliče Šumulikoski and will once again look towards the inspired play of veteran goalkeeper Petr Vašek.

In the only other match on Saturday, Spartak Mocow welcomes Rostov Luzhniki Stadion following their remarkable victory over Zenit Saint Petersburg. The Krasno-belye are now four points above Nalchik in the fourth spot but manager Valeriy Karpin will be challenged against Rostov with personnel decisions given the extremely short rest period, continuing injury problems and a crucial Champions League battle against Chelsea on Wednesday. Mr. Karpin is likely to juggle his starting eleven, as he did against Sibir last weekend but in need of greater production. The Spartak tactician plans are further complicated as he is without both Yevgeni Makeev and Marek Suchý are out due to suspension and there is question of whether Ari will be available due to injury. Rostov’s once European hopes have seemingly vanished as they are without a win in the most recent five contests and lacking in the attack.

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Match day twenty-five of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia campaign got underway as a determined Sibir Novosibirsk continued their fight to avoid relegation with a hard fought nil draw against visiting Spartak Moscow. For Valeriy Karpin’s Krasno-belye it will undoubtedly considered as a case of dropped points but such is case as the curtain falls in the campaign, with many clubs fighting for the “great escape”.

While weather conditions in Siberia posed no problem, Mr. Karpin’s side was certainly marked with fatigue and a series of injuries following Tuesday evenings Champions League clash against Chelsea. The Spartak tactician, who was still without playmaker Alex, made five adjustments to his starting eleven with Martin Stranzl, Andrei Ivanov, Cristian Maidana, Alexsandr Zotov and Jano Ananidze coming in for Nicolás Pareja, Yevgeni Makeev, Ibson, Dmitri Kombarov and Welliton.

Igor Kriushenko’s Sibir knew coming into the match that given they were six points adrift of safety they could not afford to come out of the encounter without points. Coming off their draw against Krylya Sovetov last week, Mr. Kriushenko made two adjustments to his line-up with Maxim Astafiev and Roger Cañas coming in for Tomáš Čížek and Igor Shevchenko.

From the opening whistle it was clear Spartak had a formidable foe as Sibir gave little ground and much of the play was limited to a box-to-box affair. The opening forty-five minutes are best described as scrappy as advances in the final third were closed down quickly with often borderline harsh defending. What chances did occur seem to fall Sibir’s way as Vagiz Galiullin had two high quality opportunities in close range but each was stopped by the reliable Spartak ‘keeper Andrei Dikan. Spartak’s best chance came late as Aiden McGeady got on the end of a loose ball on the left side of the area but his effort to the near post was stopped by Sibir goalkeeper Petr Vašek.

A few minutes after the re-start and following a moronic pitch invasion by a few attendees, Spartak came close to breaking the deadlock as Republic of Ireland international Aiden McGeady fought down the right side of the area before firing a blistering drive from ten metres off the woodwork. Mr. Karpin, seeing his side languishing going forward, summoned Welliton and Dmitri Kombarov, for Jano Ananidze and Cristian Maidana at the hour but Spartak quickly found Sibir’s veteran goalkeeper Petr Vašek up to the task. Spartak began to carve out openings but the thirty-one year-old ‘keeper, on-loan from Slovácko quickly smothered the advances. With sixteen minutes remaining, Spartak’s injury woes continued as Sergei Parshivlyuk was forced out, replaced by Yevgeni Makeev. With three minutes remaining in regulation time, Spartak surged forward in a counter attack only to see Petr Vašek add to his heroics as he stopped Ari from fifteen metres. Without further incident in four minutes of added-time, the match concluded as a nil draw.

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Colder autumn temperatures mark the final stretch run of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia as it heads to match day twenty-five this weekend with a full slate of contests.

With Zenit Saint Petersburg a virtual lock to claim the top spot the race for Europe and the bottom-half, to hold off relegation, could not be tighter. Virtually the bottom half of the table has been pulled in the relegation battle with the success of Krylya Sovetov and the others still with a gleam in their eye towards Europe. The premier match of the weekend is unquestionably Rubin Kazan’s visit of the capital to face CSKA Moscow on Sunday, which will go a long way in deciding second place.

The weekend gets underway Saturday with Spartak Moscow travelling to the chill of Siberia to face relegation threatened Sibir Novosibirsk. Igor Kriushenko’s side did well in a hard-fought draw with Krylya Sovetov last week but with six points to make up in the final weeks, they need to pull off an upset if there is any hope. Valeriy Karpin’s Krasno-belye devoured Alaniya Vladikavkaz last weekend before the mid week stumble against Chelsea in the Champions League. Mr. Karpin, who has seen his side meteorically rise to the fourth spot of the table, is dealing with a number of injury factors, including Alex who is definitely out and will likely adjust his line-up to suit the high work demands of late. Spartak must expect a challenging environment as Sibir consistently impresses in front of their home supporters and with the siege mentality of relegation, will not be shy in the attack.

Miodrag Božović’s Dynamo Moscow visit Alaniya Vladikavkaz, after their most impressive performance of the year, that a 4-0 victory over Anzhi Makhachkala. The White-Blue’s trail Nalchik by five points and has the pedigree to overtake them for a spot in next years Europa League, though they are without Igor Semshov, to suspension against Alaniya. Vladimir Shevchuk’s side are without a win in four contests, including last week’s loss to Spartak and a scant point above Amkar Perm. With Zenit Saint Petersburg on the schedule next week, Alaniya desperately needs points are they will likely find themselves in the drop zone by month end. The hosts are without Ibrahim Gnanou for the contest, due to suspension.

Coming off last week’s loss to Lokomotiv, Spartak Nalchik welcomes Tom Tomsk to Caucasus region in need of a win, lest they find their European hopes dwindle. With only one win in the last seven encounters, Yuri Krasnozhan’s have seen their hold on a Europe berth disappear and can feel the fast approaching Dynamo on their heels. Tom Tomsk manager Valeriy Nepomnyaschy is pleased to welcome back Kim Nam-Il, Dmitriy Smirnov and Fyodor Kudryashov from suspension for otherwise will put forth a bold attacking look against the visitors. Artyom Dzyuba, with eight goals this campaign, has quickly emerged as one of the most deadly young Russian strikers in the league and a constant threat.

In the final contest of day, Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast welcomes Terek Grozny to Ramenskoe, with the hosts a little too close to the relegation zone to be comfortable. The stunning late charge by Krylya Sovetov has pulled the mid table into threat and Andrey Gordeev’s veteran line-up needs to emphasize well-disciplined play in the final stages of the year, particularly as fatigue becomes an issue. Terek suffered their first home defeat of the year last week as CSKA overwhelmed them with ease. Anatoliy Baidachny’s side hopes for Europe are fading quickly and in need of a victory, will approach the contest with a more aggressive attack.

On Sunday, in match day twenty-five of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia the action gets underway with another chapter of the Lokomotiv Moscow’s remarkable turnaround as the Railwayman travel to the Ural Mountains to face Amkar Perm. Yuriy Semin’s men have rose from the ashes of the summer heat and after defeating Nalchik last week are in prime position for a European berth. The Railwayman have yet to lose since Dmitriy Loskov was handed the armband against CSKA and last week gutted out a brilliant victory, thanks to Dmitri Sychev late goal. Amkar was positively courageous last week against Zenit before match day referee Evgeniy Turbin sent off Dmitriy Belorukov and Vitaliy Fedoriv. Red-Black’s manager Rashid Rakhimov side has fallen into the drop zone with Krylya Sovetov’s success but consistently play better at home with three wins in their four most recent contests. Amkar is without the suspended duo from last week but sees key man Georgiy Peev and Ivan Cherenchikov return.

In the premier match of the weekend, defending champion Rubin Kazan face CSKA Moscow at Arena Khimki with second-place on the line. The Army-Men look to be in unstoppable form as following their defeat of Terek Grozny, they overwhelmed Palermo in the Europa League on Thursday. Trailing Rubin by two points but with an extra two contests to play, Leonid Slutsky’s side have hit top gear with a flowing attack and rock solid defending that has seen Igor Akinfeev’s goal not breached in over six hours. Rubin played Panathinaikos to a nil draw in Champions League play on Wednesday but manager Kurban Berdyev has skilfully juggled his line-up to avoid fatigue. The visitors will miss Yevgeni Balyaikin to suspension in a engaging encounter the pits the attack rich CSKA against the defensive minded Rubin.

Anzhi Makhachkala has the misfortune of welcoming Zenit Saint Petersburg, as Gadzhi Gadzhiev’s look to fight off relegation. Only a point above Amkar Perm in the drop zone, the Dagestan were run over by Dynamo last week and have not scored in their last five contests. Against the top defending unit in the league, the second worst attack will need to find inspiration to set attacker Jan Holenda but they are without midfielder Ibra Kébé who is suspended. Still undefeated, Luciano Spalletti’s side are well on their way to the championship and showing few kinks in the armour. Aleksandr Kerzhakov is in remarkable goal scoring form with six markers in the last three contests, with similar results on the European front. Zenit will approach the contest with care, knowing their hosts are in a relegation fight and will try to slow the affair down. Zenit’s only absentee is Aleksandr Anyukov who is under suspension.

In the final contest of match day twenty-five of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia, Alexandr Tarkhanov’s Krylya Sovetov continues their remarkable “great escape” as they visit Rostov. The Samaran side have climbed out of the relegation zone after seeming being rooted to their fate for much of the campaign but a series of late summer additions, including the highly promising teen Pavel Yakovlev, have turned their fortune around. Rostov’s European hopes, while not statistically ended, appear remote. Oleh Protasov’s side, once flourishing flanking attack has produced only a scant single goal in the last six matches. The Rostov tactician will miss Aleksandr Cherkes due to suspension and be looking for his side to show greater attacking volition against the Samaran’s.

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