Five Minutes That Made The Game

Leonid Kuchuk's pick for the first Spanish friendly against Lech Poznan was quite a surprise. Several regular starters remained on the bench while the young Arshak Koryan and Anton Miranchuk were granted a carte blanche. Their company was Taras Mikhalik, Maksim Grigoryev and Roman Pavlyuchenko.

In the wake of the game the Poles had the ball but very soon gave it away to defend the goal. Pavlyuchenko made an effort to score from outside the box but the keeper blocked it.

Up to the mid-half the teams set up several perspective attacks but then Lokomotiv made it clear they were going to win. Vitaliy Denisov intercepted in midfield and quickly passed to Pavlyuchenko who hit it first time scoring a cracker.

Five minutes on, Kotorowski saw the ball behind his back again. Mbark Boussoufa tricked a defender an passed to Pavlyuchenko. Roman's blast was blocked but the ball bounced back into the field where Koryan picked it up and made no mistake - 2:0.

This wasn't all for the Polish keeper. A minute later Koryan ran down the wing and passed to Pavlyuchenko who rolled it on to Boussoufa. The Moroccan read the episode well and netted a winner.

Some annoyed Lech players tried to provoke a fight but the referee stepped in to act as a peacekeeper. Soon the Poles pulled themselves together and managed to score their only goal. Shishkin fouled not far from the box and Mozdzen played an amazing direct free kick, bent the ball and sent it right into the corner of Abayev's goal.

In the second half nine fresh players appeared. Unlike the first half, the second one was quiet and Lech didn't rush forward as many had expected. Only in the 54th minute did Abayev step in, tipping away a difficult kick by Kovnacka.

Although very soon the Railwaymen took possession and started threatening. Lech's goal: Ozdoyev, Tkachyov, N'Doye and Samedov could have made the score big but all lacked just a bit. The attacks were great, though, Leonid Kuchuk even applauded at the bench.

In the end of the game Lech set up a dangerous attack but Aleksey Shirokov who had substituted Ilya Abayev made a good interception and eliminated the threat.

Lokomotiv have defeated a strong opponent and are now preparing for another friendly with Sparta Praha that will take place on February 4th.

Lokomotiv - Lech 3:1 (3:1)

Goals: Pavlyuchenko, 28 (1:0). Koryan, 32 (2:0). Boussoufa, 33 (3:0). Mozdzen, 38 (3:1).

Lokomotiv: Abayev (Shirokov, 63), Shishkin (Seraskhov, 46), Corluka (Belyayev, 46), Durica (Tarasov, 46), Denisov (Yanbayev, 46), Mikhalik (Ondua Gayel, 63), Anton Miranchuk (Ozdoyev, 46), Koryan (Samedov, 46), Boussoufa (Aleksey Miranchuk, 46), Grigoryev (Tkachyov, 46), Pavlyuchenko (N'Doye, 46).

Lech: Kotorowski, Kedziora (Mozdzen, 62), Arboleda (Bednarek, 70), Wolakiewivz (Kaminski, 46), Henriquez (Douglas, 62), Linetty (Tralka, 46), Pawlowski (Claasen, 46), Hamalainen (Kownacki, 46), Injac (Zgarda, 75), Formella, Mozdzen (Lowrencsics, 46).

January 31. Chiclana-de-la-Frontera. Estadio Municipal.