Hard-Earned Victory
In Miodrag Bozovic's first match in the capacity of Lokomotiv manager, the team had a new captain. With Guilherme and Shishkin on the bench, and Dmitriy Tarasov recovering from a surgery, it was Alexander Samedov's day to wear the band. The coach used the well-known formation with Alexander Sheshukov as a defensive midfielder, Manuel Fernandes as a box-to-box, Mbark Boussoufa in the hole, and Baye Oumar Niasse up front.
Terek created the first chance when Ailton tried his luck from an acute angle, Abaev was there to parry it. The hosts responded with a goal. Samedov curved the ball to the area where a defender's awkward attempt to clear disoriented the keeper and allowed Oumar Niasse to guide the ball into the net.
The early opener brought the thrill, with the teams relying heavily on attacks. Ailton carried the ball up the centre, approached the goal and took a shot - the attempt was ineffective. Lokomotiv could have scored when Oumar Niasse received a pass from Boussoufa and pushed the ball into the back of the net but a linesman had signaled an offside seconds before.
Late into the first half the ball would swing from one goal to the other in an instance. Utsiev broke one on one against Abaev and had a chance to level but Vitaliy Denisov stood by. And again Lokomotiv responded with an attack where Niasse could have improved the scoreline: Alexander Samedov moved down the wing and crossed to Boussoufa. The Moroccan's pass found Niasse who tried to send it home but failed.
Terek had the initiative during the last minutes of the half, and managed to convert it into an equalizer. The visitors played a corner, Corluka attempted to clear but the ball hit Niasse, changed direction and flew into the net.
The break didn't bring any major changes to the run of play, both teams tried to find luck up front. Terek's Aissati found himself in a promising position and charged the ball towards the goal but only shook the crossbar. Lebedenko picked it up and took a shot at an upper corner - Abaev saved.
Lokomotiv tried to use the right flank. Renat Yanbaev passed to Boussoufa who entered the box and crossed to the far post. Maicon was going to drive in a header but Niasse stood in the way.
Soon the hosts scored a winner. Boussoufa made a great though pass to Samedov, Alexander got knocked down in the area, and the referee immediately pointed at the spot. Roman Pavlyuchenko made no mistake, settling the final score.
The remaining time brought no goals, and eventually a whistle from the referee sealed another victory that brought Loko three points.
Lokomotiv - Terek 2:1 (1:1)
Goals: Niasse, 9 (1:0). Niasse, 44 – own goal (1:1). Pavlyuchenko, 73 – pen: (2:1).
Lokomotiv: Abaev, Yanbaev, Corluka, Durica, Denisov, Sheshukov, Fernandes (Mykhalyk, 85), Samedov (c), Boussoufa, Maicon (Kasaev, 75), Niasse (Pavlyuchenko, 65).
Terek: Godzyur, Kudryashov, Semyonov, Komorowski, Utsiev, Adilson (Bokila, 89), Mauricio, Aissati (Kanou, 85), Ivanov, Lebedenko, Ailton.
Yellow cards: Lebedenko, 4. Semyonov, 63. Kudryashov, 72. Boussoufa, 79. Mykhalyk, 87. Almeida, 87. Denisov, 89.
Referee: Sergey Ivanov (Rostov-on-Don).
October 18. Moscow, Lokomotiv stadium. 7 240 spectators.
