Missed Opportunities

Slaven Bilic had to surprise, and he did. The young midfielder Alexey Miranchuk made his debut for Lokomotiv on that day.

The Railwaymen could have scored in the 3rd minute when Dame N'Doye got a pass from Victor Obinna in the centre of the box. The Senegalese turned around and was going to shoot but defender Armash cleared the very last moment.

Just three minutes later Denis Glushakov could have could have scored too. The ex-cap managed a tremendous shot from a 27m distance but Belenov's skill was just enough to parry.

The first danger that happened at Dario Kresic's goal was a kick in the bottom corner in te 17th minute but the Croatian saved.

The last twenty minutes of the half brought no real opportunities. The ball stuck in the midfield for most of the time. Alexey Miranchuk looked really good. The 17 y.o. home-grown talent was brave enough to pick up the initiative and started several attacks.

The second half turned much more spectacular, with Belenov at work more often than Kresic.

In the 55th minute Maicon fooled a defender on his flank and centered to Glushakov who shot first touch but Belenov footed away.

Twelve minutes later Corluka played a classy long pass up half a pitch, finding N'Doye. The Senegalese knocked the ball past the keeper but failed to find the net. Three minutes later Dame had another fat chancr but again shot wide.

The last quarter of an hour was the most exciting part. In the 80th minute N'Doye had another chance. The forward rammed through two defenders who knocked him down, but he stood up and managed to shoot but Belenov took the ball.

Lokomotiv looked more athletic and was desperate to score but instead could have missed a counter attack in the last minutes. In the 87th minute Kuban played a set piece and Bukur headed goalwards. Victor Obinna was the last man standing and cleared the danger. Three minutes later Renat Yanbaev saved his team, clearing the ball from the very line.

The game ended in a draw, but Lokomotiv left a good impression and was closer to a victory.

Kuban - Lokomotiv 0:0

Kuban: Belenov, Armash, Sandao, Kozlov, Leandro, Kulik, Ionov (Tsoraev, 64), Bukur, Cabore, Popov (Tlisov, 83), Balde (Nikulae, 70).

Lokomotiv: Cresic, Corluka, Durica, Denisov, Yanbaev, Glushakov, Tarasov, Alexey Miranchuk (Grigoriev, 86), Obinna, Maicon (Caicedo, 79), N'Doye.

Yellow cards: N'Doye, 26. Maicon, 31. Denisov, 35. Tsoraev, 69. Nikulae, 76.

Referee: Vladislav Bezborodov (Saint Petersburg).

April 20. Krasnodar. Kuban Stadium. 23 723 spectators.