Nil creativity, nil creation, nil finishing, plus near-to-zero teamwork. Everything that Murat Yakin built from the thrashing of Rubin and hard-earned victory against Dynamo, crumbled in a drab 90 minutes in the humidity of Krasnodar. Different gaffer this time around, but the same opponent destroyed them at the same venue last season. What went wrong 1: Dzyuba-less Spartak = incompetence The towering striker, who benefited from his fruitful loan at Rostov last season, came back with a bang … [Read more...]
Brazil 2014: Who’s In and Out for Russia
February 26, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Checked In, Seat on the Plane! Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, CSKA Moscow The undisputed starter for the national team. It’s hard to see anyone instead of the Army's captain between the sticks. Kept on the bench in favor of the more experienced Malafeev in Russia's previous big tournament, Akinfeev will be keen to lead the nation again. Central Defender Sergei Ignashevich, CSKA Moscow A mainstay in the nation's lineup, he is one of a few who has experience at the World Cup level. … [Read more...]
16 Stars Who Took Russia to the World Cup
October 17, 2013 by 1 Comment
The list itself comes from an October 16 photo feature on Sports.ru, while I did the write-ups. 1) Igor Akinfeev, Goalkeeper Overlooked by Dick Advocaat at Euro 2012' in favor of Vyacheslav Malafeev, the CSKA captain started every single qualifying game under Fabio Capello. He only conceded five goals during the campaign and broke the record for the longest clean sheet kept by a Russian goalkeeper in competitive matches. 2) Aleksandr Kerzhakov, Forward Zenit's Kerzhakov is always … [Read more...]
Ticket to Brazil Nearly Punched
October 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Rui Patricio held his head when the final whistle was blown at the Estadio do Dragao last Friday. His mistake, a poor low pass within reach of Eden Ben Basat, cost Portugal two points, which almost certainly sends the happy Russians to next year's carnival in Brazil. Russia's rampant win that same night, 4-0 away to Luxembourg, coupled with Portugal's draw, means they need just a single point in Baku on Tuesday. Capello's men lead the group by three points and are +7 in goal differential … [Read more...]
Tom Hold Lokomotiv’s Progression
October 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Lokomotiv XI: Abaev, Shishkin, Denisov, Corluka, Durica, Tarasov, Diarra, Boussoufa, Maicon (Tkachyev 62), Samedov, Dame N'Doye Tom XI: Cebanu, Jiranek, Bordachev, Milanov, Rykov, Kisenko, Panchenko, Bashkirov, Ignatovich, Holenda (Goleshov 24), Portnyagin Moment of the Match: Tom's disallowed goal. There was nothing wrong with the goal, no offside nor foul whatsoever. Has it been counted, Tom will be ahead and match will be more open to fast attacking display by Loko. Another poor … [Read more...]
Spartak Snatch Narrow Victory against Krasnodar
September 25, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Starting Line-up Spartak Moscow: Pesyakov, Makeev, Suchy, D. Kombarov, Parshivlyuk, Glushakov, Carioca, Kallstrom, Jurado, McGeady (Yakovlev 56'), Movsisyan (Waris 73' Insaurralde 90'). FC Krasnodar: Filtsov, Granqvist, Jedrzejczyk, Martinovich, Gazinsky, Kaleshin, Mamaev, Marciu (Pizzelli 76'), Pereyra (Isael 64'), Joaozinho, Wanderson (Gohou 64'). Goals: 1:0 Jurado 4' 1:1 16' Pereyra 2:1 Movsisyan 27' 3:1 Jurado 30' 3:2 Isael 69' Spartak continued the rejuvenation with their … [Read more...]
Russia U21 - Pisarev’s Men Triumphant in Rainy Khimki
September 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Bazelyuk's brace gave the young Russians a perfect opener. CSKA's young striker Konstantin Bazelyuk scored twice to cancel out Vuckič's goal earlier and earned Russia's U21 team a victory in their second match of the Euro 2015 Qualifying Round. The game was played at Arena Khimki, just north of Moscow, home to league leader CSKA and also Dynamo. Russia U21 head coach Nikolai Pisarev had opted to start with a lonely Bazelyuk up front, with Anzhi's Solomatin, Zenit's Mogilevets, and … [Read more...]
Uninspiring Spartak Squeak Past Tom
September 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Spartak survived a poor start to grab a 2-1 win against lowly Tom in Cherkizovo yesterday. Spartak's goals were scored by Yura Movsisyan and Pavel Yakovlev, after Vladimir Rykov put the visitors ahead on seventh minute. Spartak made three changes from the side that lost 2-4 to St. Gallen on Thursday. Glushakov shook off his injury to return, while Yakovlev, Movsisyan, and Joao Carlos were also brought into the line up today. Valery Karpin, who's under increased pressure from the fans, picked … [Read more...]
Spartak out of Europe
August 30, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Spartak's hopes of progressing further in the Europa League were shattered yesterday as they lost 2-4 at home to St. Gallen. The result means they lose 3-5 on aggregate, after drawing 1-1 last week at Switzerland. Goran Karanovic's brace and a single goal each for Roberto Rodriguez and Dejan Janjatovic erased Aras Ozbiliz's early opener for Spartak. Spartak came into the match with a bad run, winless in their last four games after starting the season very well in the league. Valery Karpin … [Read more...]
