Nizhny save a point in Sochi with Goylo heroics

FC Sochi 0-0 FC Nizhny Novgorod
Friday 13 May, Fisht Central Stadium

Sent off: Nizhny Novgorod - Ennin (48)
Man of the Match: Nikita Goylo (Nizhny Novgorod)

Nizhny Novgorod never conceded a goal from Sochi in the FNL, the same they did in the RPL after winning 1-0 in their first ever top flight match and drawing in the second leg. The visitors came to Sochi without Aleksandr Kerzhakov, so his assistant Vladimir Kazakov was the interim manager at the Fisht Central Stadium.

Despite Artur Nigmatullin travelled with the team, Nikita Goylo made third start in a row. Nizhny were under big pressure, as Sochi possessed the ball 75 percent of game time in the first half and made eight attempts. Situation became more stressful, when Richlord Ennin was sent off with just three minutes played in the second half, as he got a second yellow card.

As Sochi increased the ball possession, Nizhny spent more time in the box, and Goylo kept the team with beautiful saves, especially with double one after Timofey Margasov shot and Kirill Zaika header. Even having one man down, the visitors were close to score, but Kirill Gorsyuk hit the crossbar after a corner kick. Sochi’s sturm did not bring the result they wanted, but the positive from their last home fixture is the guarantee of their first ever finish in the medal zone.

Sochi go second on 53 points, while Nizhny Novgorod stay 11th on 30 points.

Next RPL fixtures: Saturday 21 May - Dinamo Moscow vs Sochi; Nizhny Novgorod vs Zenit St. Petersburg