League Play-Off

Ulan-Ude
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Oleg Platoshin took the kick off in the first half of the match. If Artur Egorychev had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 7th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After some fancy dribbling in the 9th minute, Artur Egorychev managed to get in a good position for a shot. Murmansk FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Artur Egorychev was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Lev Schelkin breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Artur Egorychev sent away a hard shot on goal in the 12th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Oleg Platoshin recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 15th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After 17 played minutes Murmansk FC got a freekick which was hit by Efim Ravikovich. Vladislav Karnouhov hit a great freekick 20 minutes into the match. After 21 minutes, Martyn Kuleshov mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Murmansk FC and the Ulan-Ude players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of Ulan-Ude booed when Murmansk FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 21 match minutes in a wonderful position. Martyn Kuleshov didn't get a good kick on the ball. 31 minutes into the game, Oleg Platoshin cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Lev Schelkin was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. 34 minutes into the game, Murmansk FC's Igor Vlasov nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Lev Schelkin made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-2. After a defensive mix-up in Ulan-Ude's zone, Igor Vlasov stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Lev Schelkin came out of the goal and Igor Vlasov tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Ulan-Ude's Lev Schelkin played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Artur Egorychev in the 42nd minute of play. Innokentiy Rubanskiy could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 47th minute of the match, but Maksim Veselov made a huge save. After the first half Murmansk FC were leading 1-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Nikolay Korchachenko was the one to do the kick off. When Konstantin Tverdovskiy fell near the penalty area in the 55th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Murmansk FC's protests and gave Konstantin Tverdovskiy a yellow card for diving instead. In a very dangerous position, a player in Murmansk FC fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 55th minute. Penalty! Nikolay Adamskiy placed the ball on the penalty spot and got himself ready to shoot. Post out! Maksim Veselov came out of the goal in the 60th minute to try and stop a shot by Ulan-Ude's Innokentiy Rubanskiy. But to his dismay, Innokentiy Rubanskiy quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 2-2. Maksim Veselov showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Innokentiy Rubanskiy, who was totally free with the ball in the 68th minute. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by May Zilbershtein during the 69th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 74th minute Murmansk FC were awarded a corner. Igor Vlasov went to the cornerflag to take it. In the 76th minute, Igor Vlasov fired away a shot on goal. He put a little to much spin on the ball and sent it just wide of the right post. After a rather tough play, Murmansk FC's Artur Egorychev got a free kick in the 82nd minute. Murmansk FC's Maksim Veselov played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Innokentiy Rubanskiy in the 85th minute of play. 87 minutes into the game, Ulan-Ude's Nikolay Korchachenko nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Maksim Veselov made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 3-2. Innokentiy Rubanskiy struck a weak shot in the 99th minute. Maksim Veselov didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ulan-Ude. When the referee blew the final whistle, Ulan-Ude could leave the field as winners, despite Murmansk FC having more of the ball for most of the match.