League Play-Off

Stadion Vladivostok
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Yakov Chertenkov took the kick off in the first half of the match. Vadim Muravev sent away a hard shot on goal in the 3rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Rustam Pichugin took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Albert Tobolskiy, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Rustam Pichugin showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Vadim Muravev, who was totally free with the ball in the 8th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Pavel Palatkin in the 9th minute of play forced Saint Petersburg's goalkeeper Igor Kostin to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 10 minutes, Boris Shustikov mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Vladivostok and the Saint Petersburg players grew even worse after the yellow card. After a rather tough play, Vladivostok's Boris Shustikov got a free kick in the 10th minute. Rustam Pichugin showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Albert Tobolskiy in the 13th minute of the match. Saint Petersburg's Igor Kostin proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 19th minute of the match, managed to save Saint Petersburg from getting a goal against them. Rustam Pichugin didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Albert Tobolskiy went, in the 23rd minute, to the upper right corner, 0-1 was the resulting score. Saint Petersburg's Igor Kostin proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 29th minute of the match, managed to save Saint Petersburg from getting a goal against them. In the 30th minute Albert Tobolskiy shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Rustam Pichugin saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Albert Tobolskiy received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 35th minute. Rustam Pichugin tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. A collision led to Saint Petersburg getting a freekick after 40 minutes play. Albert Tobolskiy hit a great ball. Pavel Palatkin charged in rather forcefully in the 44th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Pavel Palatkin the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Saint Petersburg booed when Vladivostok was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 44 match minutes in a wonderful position. Pavel Palatkin didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 48th minute, Albert Tobolskiy ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Rustam Pichugin was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-2. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-2.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Albert Tobolskiy made a kick off. Igor Kostin showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Yakov Chertenkov, who was totally free with the ball in the 57th minute. If Albert Tobolskiy had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 61st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Albert Tobolskiy sent away a hard shot on goal in the 65th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 66th minute, Pavel Palatkin hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Albert Tobolskiy sent away a hard shot on goal in the 69th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Igor Kostin showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Vadim Tamozhniy in the 76th minute of the match. Albert Tobolskiy recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 87th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 89th match minute, Vladivostok was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Pavel Palatkin to maneuver through the defense. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Vadim Tamozhniy in the 94th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Igor Kostin prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After some fancy dribbling in the 95th minute, Vadim Muravev managed to get in a good position for a shot. Saint Petersburg's supporters rose to their feet, but Vadim Muravev was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Rustam Pichugin breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Vadim Muravev recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 98th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Saint Petersburg's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.