We Proceed Further!

The match between Khimki and Lokomotiv was the last Cup challenge on Wednesday. In spite of the fact that the Mosocw Oblast team currently rank second from the bottom of the National Football League, there was no way it could get anyone of us down. First of all, according to Yuriy Syomin’s words, Lokomotiv set their sights on winning the Cup. Besides, a little earlier SKA and Yenisey got the better of Spartak and CSKA, thus proving there were no favourites in the quest.

 

Syomin's lineup fielded against FC Khimki was close to his strongest eleven. Abaev took the position in the goal. Ignatiev filled the right wingback slot. Barinov manned the central midfield. The rest was more or less as usual.

 

The clash with Khimki was Barinov’s first match of the season, and he gave a great display. The young midfielder set up for a teammate to drive in the opener. The youngster picked up the ball in the middle and passed it on to Kasaev. The latter veered slightly to the left and fired a neat finish into the far corner.

 

Kasaev had an outstanding game himself. In the beginning of the second half Alan’s delivery from the left led to the own goal scored by Khimki. Ten minutes afterwards, he assisted Portnyagin who marked his debut goal on behalf of Lokomotiv.

 

Remarkably, only a little earlier Portnyagin came off the bench to replace Samedov, while Kasaev was soon substituted by Igor Denisov. After that Lokomotiv remained with virtually three defensive midfielders and two forwards. Actually, Henty moved to the flank while Barinov played in the hole. Each of the two had a chance to net, but Tsitsilin denied both the turn-around shot from the Nigeria international and the powerful first-touch effort from Dmitriy. Then the opposing keeper made one more save, this time beating Portnyagin in a one-on-one duel.

 

Well, the three goals were enough to claim the victory. Lokomotiv progress to the last 16 round in the Russian Cup. Our rival will be determined in the match between Shinnik and Krylia Sovetov.

 

Khimki – Lokomotiv - 0:3 (0:1)

Goals scored: Kasaev, 45 (0:1). Chernyshov, 53 (own goal) (0:2). Portnyagin, 64 (0:3)

Khimki: Tsitsilin, Malaniya (Mostovoy, 59), Chernyshov, Zaika, Shumskikh, Lapin, Kazayev (Galesic, 68), Petrusyov, Tyunin, Guberac (Gashchenkov, 54), Sikorski

Lokomotiv: Abaev, Yanbaev, Mykhalyk, Pejcinovic, Ignatiev, Barinov, Ndinga, Kasaev (Denisov, 68), Samedov (Portnyagin, 56), Miranchuk (Kolomeytsev, 46), Henty

Bookings: Tyunin, 18. Kazayev, 22. Lapin, 74. Chernyshov, 77. Ignatiev, 86

Referee: Vasiliy Kazartsev (Saint Petersburg)

21 September 2016. Khimki, Rodina Stadium