CSKA's Doumbia and Cauņa down Trabzonspor
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
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PFC CSKA Moskva 3-0 Trabzonspor AŞ
Seydou Doumbia scored either side of Aleksandrs Cauņa's 76th-minute volley as CSKA recorded a welcome first victory in Group B in Moscow.
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PFC CSKA Moskva breathed new life into their UEFA Champions League campaign after a deserved 3-0 home win against Trabzonspor AŞ in Group B.
The hosts had a strike force of Seydou Doumbia and Vágner Love to thank for their first victory in the section, as the duo were a constant menace to the Turkish side's defence with their pace and movement. It was that man Doumbia who would grab the headlines again, as his two expertly taken goals, either side of Aleksandrs Cauņa's fine finish, took his tally to four in three matches in this season's competition.
CSKA came into the game knowing realistically they had to win to keep their chances of making the knockout stage alive, having managed a draw and a defeat from their opening two fixtures. Yet the Army Men made a slow start, with the visitors unfortunate not to be ahead after 19 minutes. Vladimir Gabulov got himself into difficulty trying to clear, but with the goal at his mercy Halil Altıntop shot weakly and Sergei Ignashevich cleared off the goal line.
As the half wore on Doumbia and Love began to cause the Trabzonspor defence all manner of problems and in the 29th minute, the duo combined brilliantly to put CSKA into the lead. Love's exquisite back-heel put Doumbia through and the Ivory Coast forward made no mistake with a fierce left-footed shot that left Tolga Zengin with no chance.
The home team continued where they left off in the second half. Zoran Tošić wasted an excellent opportunity two minutes after the break, while Tolga produced a fine clearance to deny Doumbia from doubling the lead. The visitors, who came into the game atop the group, pressed in search of an equaliser, but they were never able to seriously test Gabulov, who was given plenty of protection by his alert back line.
CSKA sealed victory with 14 minutes remaining. Not for the first time, Love escaped his marker and the Brazilian international's measured cross was met at the far post by Cauņa, who volleyed the ball past Tolga for his first UEFA Champions League goal. Doumbia then grabbed his second four minutes from time with an excellent piece of skill to secure CSKA's biggest ever UEFA Champions League win.