League Play-Off

Chelyabinsk
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) 5 minutes into the game, Danil Vysotskiy cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Kirill Kurmaz was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After some careless play in the Chelyabinsk FC defense, Danil Vysotskiy kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Kirill Kurmaz. The Chelyabinsk FC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Kirill Kurmaz should have stopped the shot. After 18 minutes, Felix Razinkin mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Balakovo and the Chelyabinsk FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 18 played minutes Balakovo got a freekick which was hit by Felix Razinkin. In the 19th minute, Kirill Shilov 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. In the 21st minute Erofey Nepogodin shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Andrey Dobrovolskiy saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 23 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Chelyabinsk FC! Vasiliy Bolotnikov walked up to take care of the penalty kick. He was aiming for the top corner, but the ball went just outside the post. Danil Vysotskiy recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 27th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 29 minutes into the match, Chelyabinsk FC's goal looked a bit too open when Afanasiy Vlasov came free, but Kirill Kurmaz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The crowd rose to their feet as Erofey Nepogodin kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Andrey Dobrovolskiy. That made the score 2-2 in the 31 minute of play. Irakliy Holodov kicked well hit freekick during the 35th minute of the match. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Erofey Nepogodin in the 38th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Andrey Dobrovolskiy prevented the ball from getting in the gole. If Danil Vysotskiy had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 40th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. A collision led to Chelyabinsk FC getting a freekick after 41 minutes play. Evgeniy Zybin hit a great ball. In the 42nd minute Afanasiy Vlasov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Kirill Kurmaz saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. If Danil Vysotskiy had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 46th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Kirill Kurmaz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Afanasiy Vlasov in the 47th minute of the match. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Danil Vysotskiy was the one to do the kick off. Erofey Nepogodin received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 53rd minute. Andrey Dobrovolskiy tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The supporters of Chelyabinsk FC booed when Balakovo was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 54 match minutes in a wonderful position. Lev Samchenko didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Danil Vysotskiy had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 62nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. A hard shot 73 in the game by Afanasiy Vlasov from a close distance when the talented Kirill Kurmaz managed to make a qualified save. Chelyabinsk FC's players were relieved. 75 minutes into the match, Balakovo's goal looked a bit too open when Erofey Nepogodin came free, but Andrey Dobrovolskiy reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 76 minutes into the game, Chelyabinsk FC's Stepan Berezutskiy nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Andrey Dobrovolskiy made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 3-2. If Stepan Berezutskiy had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 86th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Chelyabinsk FC's supporters were highly satisfied with the result. They cheered their team of the pitch, having watched them win a very even match.