Dinamo moves one step closer to Champions League

In the Russian football league, Dinamo Moscow have tightened their grip on a place in the Champions League thanks to a 2-0 win at home to Luch Energiya. A one-all draw between their main rivals Amkar and Zenit makes the Muscovites favourites for Russia’s

Dinamo Moscow 2 – 0 Luch Energia Vladivostok 

A fantastic strike from veteran Dmitry Khoklov at 30 minutes gave Luch’s keeper Aleksey Polyakov no chance. With seven minutes to play Aleksandr Demidko settled the final score.

The defeat for the Vladivostok side means they're two games away from potential relegation, lying just four points from safety. Dinamo is now ahead of fourth placed Amkar by five points.

“We needed the three points today just as much as Luch did. With the end of the season drawing nearer and nearer, the players are getting more nervous as we really want to qualify for the Champions League. The players did what they had to do, and we won,” Andrey Kobelev, Dinamo Moscow Head Coach, said.

Amkar Perm 1 – 1 Zenit Saint Petersburg

After a goalless first half, it was Amkar who broke the deadlock. Bulgarian Georgy Peev headed them in front at 70 minutes.

The hosts’ lead was short-lived though, as Zenit were awarded a penalty 10 minutes later.

Skipper Anatoly Timoschuk stepped up to the mark, resulting in a draw that keeps Amkar fourth in the table with Zenit just one point behind and hot on their heels.

Spartak Moscow 0 – 1 Lokomotiv Moscow

It's looking like a barren season for Moscow clubs Lokomotiv and Spartak.

Their clash ended in a 1-0 win for Lokomotiv as David Mudzhiri drilled home the only goal after just six minutes of game time. Loko were unable to improve on their eighth place in the league, with Spartak staying just the one place above them.

Rubin Kazan 1 – 3 Terek Grozny

Meanwhile, the newly crowned Russian champions, Rubin, suffered a rare defeat, losing 3-1 at home to Terek Grozny.

Skipper Segey Semak had the champions celebrating early, striking first for Rubin.

Celebrations were short-lived, as within four minutes the Chechen side were level. A poorly defended corner was pounced upon by Sergey Bendz, making it 1-1.

After the break, a comic display of defence from Rubin allowed Terek’s Florentin Petre in on goal upping the score to 2-1. The Rubin defense looked like they'd celebrated perhaps a little too hard over the past seven days. In the dying minutes, Terek secured the win. Petre got his second goal of the game with an exquisite lob.

Terek Grozny’s stylish win makes them the fourth side this season to take maximum points from Rubin Kazan.