League

Stadion ZSKA
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Tihon Ilyin took the kick off in the first half of the match. After a defensive mix-up in ZSKA's zone, Dmitriy Urazov stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Oleg Aldanov came out of the goal and Dmitriy Urazov tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Konstantin Belyakov in the 5thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Leonid Irdebenev, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Konstantin Belyakov struck a weak shot in the 6th minute. Leonid Irdebenev didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for ZSKA. Tihon Ilyin struck a weak shot in the 8th minute. Leonid Irdebenev didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for ZSKA. Andrey Novikov might have been able to make a better finish in the 14th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Oleg Aldanov. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Andrey Novikov ran back to his position shaking his head. In the 21st minute Andrey Novikov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Oleg Aldanov saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in ZSKA's zone, Dmitriy Urazov stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Oleg Aldanov came out of the goal and Dmitriy Urazov tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Andrey Novikov recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 33rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. When Dmitriy Dyadin fell near the penalty area in the 38th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Saratov HC's protests and gave Dmitriy Dyadin a yellow card for diving instead. After 38 played minutes Saratov HC got a freekick which was hit by Dmitriy Dyadin. Konstantin Belyakov's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Leonid Irdebenev read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 48th minute of play.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Andrey Novikov was the one to do the kick off. Oleg Aldanov made an important save on a dangerous shot by Gleb Anikeichik in the 53rd minute. Konstantin Belyakov fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 56th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Leonid Irdebenev having to interfere. In the 59th minute, Gleb Fedulin hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. If Konstantin Belyakov had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 62nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Konstantin Belyakov in the 62nd minute of play forced Saratov HC's goalkeeper Leonid Irdebenev to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Tihon Ilyin blasted a shot towards the goal in the 63rd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Leonid Irdebenev having to make a save. Konstantin Belyakov recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 66th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 68 minutes into the game, Saratov HC's Dmitriy Urazov nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Oleg Aldanov made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-3. The supporters of ZSKA booed when Saratov HC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 73 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gleb Anikeichik didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 75th minute of the match Gleb Fedulin sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Leonid Irdebenev skillfully saved the ball. 1-3 became the score in the 76th minute when Tihon Ilyin elegantly shot the ball into goal just under the crossbar. After a rather tough play, Saratov HC's Albert Kornilov got a free kick in the 81st minute. Evlampiy Rusakov kicked well hit freekick during the 84th minute of the match. Oleg Aldanov made an important save on a dangerous shot by Dmitriy Urazov in the 86th minute. In the 90th minute, Konstantin Belyakov got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Tihon Ilyin in the 92nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Leonid Irdebenev prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Leonid Irdebenev showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Tihon Ilyin, who was totally free with the ball in the 93rd minute. The ZSKA supporters were disappointed that their team didn't take anything from the match, despite matching Saratov HC's performance. The match ended with a win for Saratov HC.