Published: 10 May, 2009, 17:54
Edited: 10 May, 2009, 17:54
CSKA Moscow have gone to the top of the standings after storming from behind against city rival Dynamo on Match Day 8 of the Russian Premier League.
Dinamo got off to a quick start. The Kambarov brothers created the first goal for the hosts after five minutes – Dmitry shot past CSKA keeper Igor Akinfeev after a great cross from his twin Kirill, 1-0.
Zivo’s men could have equalized nine minutes later. Defender Granat failed to clear after yet another corner near Dinamo's goal, allowing Wagner Love to shoot from close in, but the ball hit the keeper, and went ricocheting off the cross bar.
The Brazilian striker had another chance shortly afterward, but missed the ball after Yury Zyrkov’s cross, with an open net in front of him.
CSKA's attacking trio of Wagner Love, Alan Dzagoev and Ouwo Moussa Maazou put the Dinamo defense under serious pressure, but the White-and-Blues managed to go into the half time break as the game’s leaders.
The Army Men dominated possession after the break, but Dinamo did everything to organize a counter-attack. Dmitry Khokhlov had a good opportunity to double the score for the hosts at 60 minutes, but lingered in front of Akinfeev, allowing the keeper to save.
Just seconds later, coach Dmitry Kobelev replaced the veteran with young striker Aleksandr Kokorin, who has already scored twice in the league this season.
The next big chance came from CSKA. Dinamo keeper Vladimir Gabulov made two saves in a row, not allowing Wagner put the ball between his legs, and then handling Maazou’s rebound.
CSKA finally equalized with 12 minutes remaining, thanks to a clever substitution from Zico, who put Tomas Necid on the field.
Zhirkov dribbled through three defenders on the left of Dinamo’s box and delivered the ball to the tall Czech striker, who put in the header from close range, 1-1.
But this was not the end. CSKA pushed for a winner, and got it in stoppage time. They put Dinamo’s box under siege, and Daniel Carvalho’s long ball found the head of defender Vasily Berezutsky, who made it 2-1.
“I’m very pleased with the victory. We did everything to win throughout the whole match – we fought and played well. As a result, players were rewarded for the effort… It was important to not lose balance. Yes, we were losing 1-0, but no 'fire', but there was no fuss. The team continued to play its football, and created chances, not giving up until the end,” Zico, CSKA coach, said to Sport-Express newspaper.
The win allowed CSKA to climb to the top of the Russian Premier League, but Rubin Kazan may take their place if they beat FC Tom at home on Monday.
 Danni |
Russia’s most expensive footballer Danni masterminded both of Zenit’s goals at home Petrovsky stadium.
The first half saw no goals, but when the second began, the Portuguese tricked Krylia’s offside trap and delivered the ball to Konstantin Zyrianov, and the Russian international left no chance to keeper Eduardo Lobos, 1-0.
Ten minutes later, Pavel Pogrebnyak easily put the ball into the open net after another great assist from Danni.
The 2-0 win allowed Zenit to reach the second spot in the table.
The Grozny team took an early lead as Daniel Panku put the ball in Amkar’s net from the penalty spot at 2 minutes.
It’s always difficult to come from behind playing at Terek, but the Perm team’s Bulgarian striker Martin Kushev turned the game upside down, scoring twice before the end of the half.
Amkar were close to bringing all of the three points from the Chechen capital, but Panku struck again 6 minutes before the whistle to settle the final score, 2-2.
Another Moscow derby of the night saw the Citizens clash with Loko at the Eduard Streltsov stadium.
And the Railway Men did a good job, managing to hold off a scoreless draw despite being a man down since 58 minute as Loko’s Serb defender, Marko Basa, was sent off for a second yellow card.