Rostov set up crucial win against 10-man Rubin

Rubin Kazan 1-2 Rostov
Monday 14 March, Ak Bars Arena

Goals: Rubin - Kvaratskhelia 78’; Rostov - Poloz 12’, Begic OG 75’
Man of the Match: Danil Glebov (Rostov)
Sent off: Rubin - Lisakovich 19’

Rostov could barely have wished for a stronger start after Dmitry Poloz struck against his former side after just 12 minutes, shortly before their hosts were reduced to 10 men. 

Roman Tugarev waited patiently on the right flank to pick out the right pass across the edge of the penalty area, but when he did Poloz was on hand to sweep a brilliant first-time effort across Yuri Dyupin into the far corner.

Vitaly Lisakovich went from hero to zero only a few minutes later. Before kick-off he had bizarrely rescued a mouse from the pitch, but his touch was far more brutal when challenging Khoren Bayramyan from behind, leaving referee Vitaly Meshkov no choice but to send him off.

The game seemed done and dusted with just less than 20 minutes remaining when Silvije Begic could only turn Igor Kalinin’s teasing, whipped cross past a hapless Dyupin, but Khicha Kvaratskhelia had other ideas.

The Georgian winger curled an inswinging free kick towards the six-yard area, where Nikolay Komlichenko got the faintest of touches to inadvertently help it on its way into the net to halve the visitors’ advantage.

Rubin remain 10th on 25 points, while Rostov go 12th on 21 points.

Next RPL fixtures: Sunday 20 March - CSKA vs Rubin; Dynamo vs Rostov