Early Eder header leads Lokomotiv to Valerenga win

Eder gave Lokomotiv Moscow the perfect start en route to a 2-0 win against Norwegian side Valerenga with a third-minute header. Rifat Zhemaletdinov scored a second just before half time.

Before the game had been given a chance to settle, Dmitry Barinov swung in a cross for Eder to outjump his marker and spin it past the outrushing keeper.

Valerenga were not content to settle though. Bard Finne stung Guilherme’s fingers with a near-post shot from 12 yards before rattling the crossbar moments later.

With half time approaching, Zhemaletdinov struck a seemingly harmless shot from outside the area. His speculative effort was spilled and allowed to dribble over the line.

Valerenga continued to press forward after the break with a number of shots that lacked venom or accuracy. The nearest they came to pulling a goal back was a brief goalmouth scramble that Guilherme eventually managed to smother.

Lokomotiv play Chaika on Saturday 22 February in their last winter training friendly match.

Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0 Valerenga
18 February, Marbella, Spain
Goals: Eder (3’), Zhemaletdinov (42’)

Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Ignatyev (Zhivoglyadov 70’), Corluka (Murilo 58’), Howedes (Rybus 66’), Kverkvelia, Magkeev, Barinov, Krychowiak, Joao Mario (Idowu 81’), Zhemaletdinov (Rybchinskiy 46’), Eder