Orenburg cut two-goal advantage for Ufa to get a draw in the relegation play-off

Relegation play-off, 1st leg
FC Orenburg 2-2 FC Ufa
Wednesday 25 May, Gazovik Stadium

Goals: Orenburg - Goykovich (70), Malykh (84); Ufa - Agalarov (pen 19), Kamilov (pen 62)
Sent off: Orenburg - Oyewole (90+3)

Both sides joined the relegation play-off group after dramatic endings of their regular season. Orenburg kept the first place in the FNL for the most part of the season, but the lost two positions in the final matchdays skipping Torpedo and Fakel forward. Ufa had been battling for surviving in RPL until the last matchday, and 2-1 win over Rubin in Kazan saved the team in the league moving it to the play-off matches against FNL side.

So, the first leg in Orenburg had its drama. RPL best scorer Hamid Agalarov stroke again earning a penalty after being fouled by Evgeny Goshev and scoring from the spot. There was a moment to worry for Hamid, as he suffered muscle injury at the beginning of the second half and was replaced with Dilan Ortiz. The Colombian brought another penalty for his side, and the second attempt was buried in the net by Vladislav Kamilov.

Orenburg’s answer cane from another set piece, as Renato Goykovich caught the rebound in the box and cut the lead to one goal. Later Andrey Malykh supported the attack on the left wing and shot through Anton Chichkan to complete the comeback. Marcel Licka’s side got a headache because of away goal rule, as it is active in the play-off. Another problem is the suspension of Adesoye Oyewole, who was sent off in the added time. How Orenburg will deal, the Saturday battle will show.

Second leg: Saturday 28 May - Ufa vs Orenburg