Bizjak and Fomin doubles guide Ufa to Dalian Professional thrashing

FC Ufa closed off their preparations for the resumption of the Russian Premier Liga with a resounding 4-1 hammering of Dalian Professional on Sunday. Lovro Bizjak and Danil Fomin both scored a goal in each half.

Both sides traded early chances without truly threatening before Fomin stepped up to curl a perfect 20-yard free kick right into the top corner. The die was then cast, and a flurry of FC Ufa chances came including two dangerous shots from Vyacheslav Krotov.

Although FC Ufa were carving Rafael Benitez’s Chinese Super League side open almost at will, it was a defensive mistake that gifted the second goal. Catalin Carp closed down one defender and forced a loose ball which Bizjak collected to finish into a virtually unguarded net.

After half time Danil Fomin allowed Aleksandr Sukhov’s cross to drop before smashing a controlled volley from the edge of the box. Only a one-handed diving save kept it out.

Moments later he spotted the poor positioning of Dalian’s keeper and, after carrying possession 20 yards through the middle, chipped in his second from outside the box. A minute later, Sukhov bullied his marker off the ball and crossed to Bizjak to volley home a fourth.

After a slip from Jemal Tabidze allowed Dalian to claim a consolation, Aleksandr Belenov had to make two saves, one at full stretch late on. Even then, there was time for Gamid Agalarov to be denied by a combination of the keeper’s foot and the post, and Andres Vombergar to see his one-on-one attempt smothered.

FC Ufa resume their Russian Premier Liga season away to FC Krasnodar on Sunday 1 March.

FC Ufa 4-1 Dalian Professional
23 February, Benidorm, Spain
Goals: Fomin (19’, 59’), Bizjak (41’, 58’)

FC Ufa: Belenov, Sukhov (Terentyev 81’), Nedelcearu, Tabidze (Putsko 85’), Jokic, Aliev, Carp (Urunov 33’), Fomin, Thill, Krotov (Agalarov 79’), Bizjak (Vombergar 72’)