Goalless Draw In Rostov

The Red-Greens' youth arrived to Rostov together with the main squad, hours before their game. The big Lokomotiv are scheduled to play tomorrow, but the youngsters had little time to rest.

After three winter training camps, the Railwaymen's starting lineup changed. First time ever in an official game, Denis Nikitin and Ratibor Gusar filled in the defensive positions. Central midfielder Anton Miranchuk is with the main squad now. Alexander Smirnov spearheaded attacks, while the duo of Nikolay Kipiani and Rifat Zhemaletdinov played in the hole.

In the inception, Rostov were willing to show they were the hosts and were active, earning two corners in a row. Miroslav Lobantsev had to work hard, as Rostov kept delivering the ball to the box via crosses.

On five minutes, Lokomotiv set up their first opportunity. Smirnov found himself with the ball in front of the area, but hesitated and lost it.

On 16 minutes, Rostov's striker Stepanov demonstrated good skills. He carried the ball down the right wing, centered, and took a shot but Lobantsev saved. Minutes later Stepanov came close to our area and crossed but Lobantsev was alright again.

In the middle of the half, Lobantsev demonstrated secure play that made the spectators clap their hands. Nikolic and Troshechkin produced great shots but both times Miroslav was better.

Lokomotiv tried to make the best out of their attempts, and often their offensives resembled textbooks examples. Several times they tried long shots, sometimes they lost the ball near the box.

The second half started with a potentially dangerous shot by Dmitriy Barinov from a set piece but the wall stopped it.

It was clear the Railwaymen did some troubleshooting in half-time, as possession improved. Early in the second half they played tree consequent corners but failed to convert them to goals.

On 60 minutes Barinov managed a great strike from a free kick. Suslov had to try hard to save, and then the game calmed down. Both teams worked well in defence and broke all promising wide-scale attacks in their inception.

On 81 minutes Sergey Makarov's pass found Denis Anisimov in the area. Denis could have made an attempt, but chose to fool the keeper and lost the ball.

Late in the half, Rostov could have scored a late winner but a sub keeper Pavel Kovalyov boxed the ball off an attacker's head.

The referee's whistle sealed a draw that brought each team a point in their first official game this year.

Rostov - Lokomotiv 0:0

Rostov: Suslov, Smirnov, Martynov, Lazutkin, Demchenko, Grechkin, Troshechkin (Mashkin, 46), Sidenko (Kozlov, 43), Stepanov, Kondryukov (Shapovalov, 83), Nikolic (Akhmaev, 67).

Lokomotiv: Lobantsev (Kovalyov, 64), Nikitin, Gusar, Logunov, Solovyov (Shadrin, 89), Barinov, Makarov, Anisimov (Dorofeyev, 83), Kipiani (Mostovoy, 57), Zhemaletdinov (Chukanov, 61), Smirnov (Rybchinskiy, 82)

Yellow cards: Nikolic, 49; Grechkin, 60; Dorofeyev, 85; Solovyov, 88

March 7. Azov. «SDYuSShOR-9» Stadium.