The Rostov Team Goes Further at the Russian Cup

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2018-19 Russian Cup. Quarterfinals. Second leg. FC Rostov 1-0 FC Krasnodar

FC Rostov 1-0 (0-0) FC Krasnodar

Goal: Popov, 87 (Shomurodov, 1-0).

FC Rostov: Pesyakov, Logashov, Chernov, Sigurðsson, Hadžikadunić, Parshivlyuk (Novoseltsev, 46), Gațcan, Eremenko, Zuyev (Glebov, 43), Ionov (Popov, 82), Shomurodov.

FC Krasnodar: Safonov, Ramírez, Spajić, Martynovich, Petrov, Kaboré (Olsson, 66), Gazinsky, Pereyra (Stotsky, 76), Claesson, Wanderson, Ignatyev (Suleymanov, 66).

Yellow cards: Zuyev, 29 (foul play), Shomurodov, 61 (foul play), Popov, 83 (foul play), Pesyakov, 90+3 (unsporting behaviour) – Gazinsky, 39 (attack breakdown), Spajić, 48 (foul play), Ramírez, 59 (foul play), Kaboré, 65 (foul play).

Referees: Moskaleyov (Voronezh), Glot (Yaroslavl), Nazarov (Nevinnomyssk).

24 February 2019. Rostov-on-Don. Rostov Arena Stadium. Cloudy. –6 degrees. 35 097 spectators.

In the second leg of the Russian Cup quarterfinal tie FC Krasnodar got to play at the Rostov Arena for the first time. The teams entered the pitch at five degrees below zero centigrade. And yet, it was not the frosty weather that affected the flow of the game as it was the defensive tactics of the home team. The Rostov Tough Guys were very intent on keeping the nil-nil on the scoreboard from the very kick-off, since they were totally okay with a 2-2 away in a previous game.  

Despite the fact the Bulls obviously lacked both physical and emotional reserves after the recent UEFA Europa League clash against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, they still held the initiative almost for a full 90 minutes. The problem was they failed to convert their scoring chances into goals. As for the Rostov team, they used perhaps their only solid chance in a counterattack at the death. An accurate shot by Ivelin Popov brought them victory along with a pass to the Cup semifinals.