Rostov edge nine-man CSKA to strengthen hopes of Champions League qualification

FC Rostov 3-2 CSKA Moscow
Monday 9 March, Rostov Arena
Goal: Eremenko (31’), Popov (P) (53’), Mamaev (63’); Sigurdsson (25’), Osipenko (OG) (77’)
Sent off: Ilzat Akhmetov (20’), Vadim Karpov (53’)
Man of the Match: Roman Eremenko (Rostov)

In one of the more memorable and eventful matches this season, Southern outfit beat CSKA Moscow 3-2 and temporarily moved up to 2^nd place.

After a dull initial period of 20 minutes, the match suddenly kicked into gear as Russian international midfielder Ilzat Akhmetov was rightfully sent off for a last-man foul on Eldor Shomurodov in the penalty area. The resulting penalty, taken by Roman Eremenko was saved by CSKA legend Igor Akinfeev, and the Army men soon capitalised on Rostov’s missed opportunity.

Just four minutes after Eremenko failed to convert the penalty, Icelandic striker Arnor Sigurdsson stole the ball from FC Rostov near the half-way line and went on to score a good solo goal. Though Sigurdsson’s run and finish were satisfactory, the same cannot be said about Rostov’s defending, as Khoren Bayramyan was the only player in yellow tracking the forward for the duration of the attack.

CSKA’s lead didn’t last long either as Roman Eremenko, keen to make amends for his penalty miss struck the ball from around 25 yards and saw it strike the crossbar before bouncing just inside the goal, and then eventually bouncing out again. The goal stood, and the Finnish midfielder redeemed himself.

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first one, with a red card given to a CSKA player and a penalty to Rostov. Young centre-back Vadim Karpov brought down Ivelin Popov in the box and was given sent off in what was arguably a slightly harsh decision. Popov stepped up to take the spot kick and converted to give the Yellows the lead.

The match was quite an aggressive one, as evidenced by the number of cards that referee Vladislav Bezborodov dished out over the two halves. Both teams picked up five yellow cards, and red cards given to Ilzat Akhmetov and Vadim Karpov took the tally to 12 bookings in total.

Rostov doubled their lead after substitute Pavel Mamaev scored his first goal coming back from a lengthy suspension, a mere five minutes after coming on. The 31-year-old attempted a shot from the edge of the box, and a sizeable deflection helped the ball on its way to the net.

There was another twist in the tale when Maksim Osipenko unfortunately put the ball into his own net and give CSKA a way back into the game, just 13 minutes from full-time. A Vlasic cross came off the centre-back’s torso and went in, much to his dismay.

Four minutes from time, CSKA were given a penalty but Fedor Chalov had his shot saved by Sergei Pesyakov, and the game ended 3-2 after a lengthy eight minute stoppage time period.

Rostov: Pesyakov; Kozlov, Chistyakov (Saplinov 13’), Osipenko, Chernov; Glebov (Mamaev 58’), Popov; Zaynutdinov, Eremenko, Bayramyan; Shomurodov (Proshliakov 90’)
CSKA Moscow: Akinfeev; Karpov (sent off 53’), Diveev, Magnusson; Fernandes, Oblyakov (Chalov 73’), Bistrovic (Kuchaev 64’), Schennikov; Akhmetov (sent off 20’), Vlasic (Dzagoev 78’); Sigurdsson