Rubin Kazan beat 18-time Moldovan champions Sheriff Tiraspol 2-0 in their final winter training match on Saturday. Kvicha Kvaratskhelia scored the opener early on before Soltmurad Bakaev doubled Rubin’s lead in the second half.

Kvaratskhelia found the bottom corner with 10 minutes on the clock with a firm finish through the keeper’s legs. Just two minutes after coming on at half time Bakaev - who later drew two saves from the Sheriff keeper - sent his marker sliding with a body swerve to create space for a simple finish.

Sheriff were no pushovers, and traded blows without delivering a knockout punch. Ivan Ignatyev and Andriy Bliznichenko both saw low shots pushed away for their respective sides, while Sheriff’s Peter Wilson volleyed wide from six yards.

In the closing stages Sheriff had a dangerous free kick about 20 yards out. It was struck firmly past the defensive wall at Dyupin, and although Rubin’s keeper couldn’t hold it at first he collected it at the second attempt.

Rubin Kazan 2-0 Sheriff Tiraspol
22 February, Belek, Turkey
Goals: Kvarastkhelia (11’), Bakaev (47’)

Rubin: Dyupin, Zuev (Poyarkov 67’), Santos (Bakaev 46’), Starfelt, Danchenko (Samoshnikov 67’), Ig. Konovalov (Bashkirov 67’), Abildgaard (Stepanov 75’), Kvaratskhelia (Mogilivets 67’), Podberezkin, Jevtic, Davitashvili (Makarov 75’)