Moscow giants continue pursuit of leaders
Published 28 July, 2008, 19:32
Following the weekend’s action, Rubin Kazan still head the Premier League, but the big Moscow clubs are closing the gap with Dinamo, Lokomotiv and Spartak all winning. Rubin were held at home by the other Moscow giant, CSKA.
Khimki (Moscow Region) 2 Spartak Nalchik 0
The action started on Friday with rock bottom Khimki’s convincing victory over the visitors from Nalchik in their magnificent new stadium.
Rubin Kazan 0 CSKA Moscow 0
Rubin retain top spot, despite the fact that leaders have now gone six games without a win. This week, yet another goalless draw, this time against CSKA Moscow.
It was CSKA who started the better and could have gone in front midway through the first half. Zhirkov came with a burst of speed down the left, Vagner Love's shot was parried, but Krasic couldn't take advantage at the far post.
While Rubin created chances of their own as though as they fought their way into the game. The best of the match fell to Kabze, but he couldn't keep down his volley from six yards out. The Turk looked like he’d made amends when he burst clear late on in the match, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.
Dinamo Moscow 1 Zenit 0
Reigning champions Zenit lost a game full of missed opportunities for both sides.
The first real danger came from the visitors through Alejandro Domingues from a set piece. Things got a bit rough as the game went on and the referee didn't mind giving yellow cards for the most minor of offences.
Zenit's Turkish forward Fatih Tekke got his first yellow for talking back to the ref. The second one came after an obvious dive in the Dinamo area. Ten-man Zenit managed to hold on till half time. In the second half Dinamo obviously smelt blood, but Zenit's renowned defence managed to prevent their opponents from creating any real opportunities until the dying moments of the game.
Just as it looked like the match was going to end goalless, the Kombarov twins took matters into their own hands. Dmitry put a cross into the area to his brother, Kirill, who made no mistake and fired home past Malafeev. The final score was 1-0 and there are now only two points between leaders Rubin and Dynamo Moscow.
Amkar Perm 0 Tom Tomsk 0
In Saturday’s other game, second-placed Amkar of Perm were held to a goalless draw at home by the visitors from Tomsk.
The other three games were played on Sunday.
FC Moscow 0 Lokomotiv Moscow 3
FC Moscow are still searching for their first home win of the season following their 3-0 defeat to city rivals Lokomotiv.
The railway men stunned the hosts early on. Nigerian striker Peter Odemvingie was on target after eight minutes, heading home Dmitry Torbinsky's cross. Still in the first half, Denis Glushakov sliced open the home side's defence to net his first goal in the Premier League.
After the interval, Odemvingie scored his second and Loko's third to seal the win for his side, who move within five points of the top of the table.
Spartak Moscow 3 Luch Energia Vladivoslok 0
Also on the right side of a 3-0 scoreline were Spartak Moscow. They thrashed Luch-Energia at the Luzhniki stadium. The first goal came from Robert Kovac, who nodded in just before half-time.
Then midway through the second half Prudnikov's challenge sent him clear on goal. He tucked the chance away to make it 2-0. Mozart added the third to complete the scoring. The result lifted Spartak to fifth in the table.
Shinnik Yaroslavl 1 Terek Grozny 1
In Sunday's other game bottom side Shinnik got a point against Terek Grozny thanks to an 81st minute equaliser from Anton Khazov.
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