Russia round-up: Stalemate in Moscow

FC Lokomotiv Moscow and PFC CSKA Moscow battled their way to a scoreless draw in a dramatic Russian Premier-Liga encounter on Tuesday - a result which benefited rivals FC Spartak Moscow the most.

Hard-fought game
In a hard-fought game, Russian internationals Andrei Solomatin from CSKA and Dmitri Sennikov from Lokomotiv both had to limp off with injuries in the first half. As if that was not enough, Lokomotiv's prolific goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov was also injured in the dying minutes.

High tempo
Both teams played at a high tempo from the start, but despite this enterprising approach they were not many goalscoring chances for either side. CSKA captain Sergei Semak wasted the best chance of the first half, when his header was tipped away by Ovchinnikov.

Lokomotiv in the driving seat
Lokomotiv were in the driving seat after the interval, led by their midfield general Dmitri Loskov. However Nigerian international forward James Obiorah wasted two decent chances and Maxim Buznikin could also have done better with an excellent chance for the hosts as CSKA goalkeeper Veniamin Mandrykin performed several good saves.

First draw in a decade
The draw, first in ten years between the two sides, produced satisfied comments from both coaches. "I am happy with my players, and I think fans should have liked this game," Lokomotiv coach Yuri Semin said. Meanwhile CSKA coach Valeri Gazzaev, who was appointed coach of Russia on Monday, was equally upbeat. "The result is good," he said. "We could have won, but I have to say that Mandrykin also saved us on several occassions."

Several surprises
In the day's other games, there were several surprises. FC Shinnik Yaroslavl unexpectedly routed FC Anzhi Makhachkala 6-0, with Dmitri Vasiljev recording a hat-trick. Elsewhere, FC Saturn Moscow Region were beaten at home by FC Dinamo Moscow, 3-0. Alexander Tochilin, Ognien Koroman and Andrey Dyatelj were all on target for the capital club.

Emphatic win
Meanwhile, FC Alania Vladikavkaz enjoyed an emphatic 5-2 victory over FC Torpedo-ZIL Moscow with Georgian internationals Georgi Demetradze and Mikhail Ashvetia, who both returned to their former club on loan several weeks ago, scoring two goals apiece. FC Krylya Sovetov Samara won an important encounter against FC Torpedo Moscow, the only goal coming courtesy of Russian international Andrey Karyaka.

Convincing victory
FC Uralan Elista escaped a home defeat against FC Sokol Saratov, after German Lovchev's injury-time goal cancelled out a strike by Andrey Fedkov. Finally in Rostov-Na-Donu, SC Rotor Volgograd recorded a convincing 3-0 victory over FC Rostselmash Rostov-Na-Donu.