Spirited Draw

Lokomotiv played out a draw against Ural during Gameweek 18 of the ROSGOSSTRAKH Russian Football Championship.

Lokomotiv’s last fixture in the year 2015 was scheduled for a Friday night. Judging by the pace and a number of opportunities, not a thought of a vacation crossed minds on either side of the clash – the Railwaymen being less than a week away from their Europa League’s encounter with Albanians.

Loko conceded mere two minutes into the game when Ural advanced down the flank to cross the ball for Sapeta in the area. 15 minutes later, the home team cancelled out the deficit when Niasse rounded three defenders in the visitor’s box and made a pass for Miranchuk – Aleksey did not fall short of expectations.

Having scored, the Railroaders gained the initiative and could have netted twice more. Niasse missed by centimetres, Samedov’s shot went a little too high. Focused on the task of increasing the lead, the home team failed to prevent a counter. Late in the first half, Manucharyan won a one-on-one with our keeper. In added time, Loko was presented with a clear-cut goal-chance when Samedov fired against Zhevnov. The ball bounced back to Mykhalyk… and went over the bar.

During half-time, a New Year disco kicked off in the Family area – with contests, prizes, presents and a lot of sugar goodies! Throughout the whole game, Family section fans were treated to tangerines and sweets.

After restart, Lokomotiv went for it with new-found energy. Miranchuk, Niasse and Samedov engineered several chances, but the ball would not fly into the net. Oumar had bad luck, in particular. Yet, he refused to remain goalless - after a try by Maicon, when Zhevnov parried the shot right into Senegalese guy, the latter did scramble it over the line.

The score stayed the same for the rest of the game. Lokomotiv head off for mid-winter break sitting in the third spot of the table.

After the ref had given the final whistle, our supporters did not file towards the exit, as usual. Instead, a group of them approached the Western grandstand holding a banner reading: “Marina, say ‘yes’ to marry Pryanik!” At that, one of the fans knelt down before his girl-friend… And, of course, she gave consent.


ROSGOSSTRAKH Russian Football Championship. Gameweek 18

Lokomotiv - Ural - 2:2 (1:2)
Goals scored: Sapeta, 2 (0:1). Miranchuk, 17 (1:1). Manucharyan, 38 (1:2). Niasse, 80 (2:2)
Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Denisov, Corluka, Mykhalyk, Yanbaev, Kolomeytsev, Ndinga (Skuletic, 70), Samedov, Kasaev (Maicon, 65), Miranchuk, Niasse
Ural: Zhevnov, Martynovich, Dantsev, Manucharyan (Burmistrov, 66), Podberyozkin (Stavpets, 82), Kulakov (Khozin, 51), Acevedo, Fontanello, Sapeta, Fidler, Yemelyanov
Bookings: Yanbaev, 54. Sc
Skuletic, 75
Referee: Sergei Ivanov (Rostov-on-Don)
4 December. Moscow, Lokomotiv Stadium