Victorious Finish

Leonid Kuchuk deployed probably the most optimal squad for this last friendly. The only experiment was the appearance of the team's newbie Aleksandr Sheshukov in front of the back four together with Lassana Diarra. The latter is missing the Monday fixture with Krylya due to disqualification.

Again, the Railwaymen stuck to ball controll which soon brought fruit. In the 10th minute Roman Shishkin ran down the wing and crossed to the box where Diarra could have struck but was knocked down. Aleksandr Samedov took the spot-kick and scored the opener.

This gave the Norwegians the impetus to pull themselves together and they started covering zones. Lokomotiv still possessed the ball but creating opportunities became a harder task.

In half-time Leonid Kuchuk refreshed attacking potential with Maicon and Dame N'Doye. The Brazilian started actively and was soon fouled at in the box but the referee did not see a wrongdoing. Just a minute later another defender knocked down N'Doye who was breaking away - and again the referee remained silent.

Lokomotiv kept on creating chances and were close to doubling the lead but every time lacked proper finishing.

Molde had a chance to equalize but Guilherme was top billing. In one episode it looked like the ball had nowhere to go but behind the goal line, - however, the cap streched out and blocked it, thus securing the victory.

The Railwaymen have won in eight of ten friendlies during the mid-season break. The championship will resume on Monday when Krylya Sovetov roll up to Cherkizovo where Lokomotiv will be seeking an eighth consecutive home win.

Lokomotiv - Molde 1:0 (1:0)

Goal: Samedov, 10 – pen.

Lokomotiv: Abayev (Guilherme, 46), Shishkin (Yanbayev, 71), Durica, Corluka, Denisov, Sheshukov (Mikhalik, 46), Diarra (Ozdoyev, 46), Samedov, Boussoufa (Maicon, 46), Tkachyov, Pavlyuchenko (N'Doye, 46).

Molde: Horvath, Hovland (Toivio, 46), Simonsen, Rindaroy (Flo, 46), Forren, Singh, Hoset, Ekpo, Gulbrandsen (Chukwu, 78), Mostrom (Morales, 71), Sigurdarson (Hoiland, 71).

Yellow card: N'Doye, 59.

February 28. Marbella. Football Centre.