League

Merc ARENA
Spectators: 7479 (Terracing: 5611, Seating: 1719, VIP seats: 149) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Ivan Bilyaletdinov kicked off to start the match. Aleksey Boyarinov made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from David Shkarupilo in the 3rd minute of play. 6 minutes into the match, Vito Simão had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Aleksey Boyarinov. MercURRI's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Vito Simão was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. Aleksey Boyarinov showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Vito Simão, who was totally free with the ball in the 10th minute. David Shkarupilo fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 14th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Aleksey Boyarinov having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Trifon Zharikov in the 17th minute of play forced MercURRI's goalkeeper Aleksey Boyarinov to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Trifon Zharikov in the 21st minute of play forced MercURRI's goalkeeper Aleksey Boyarinov to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Konstantin Veselov during the 23rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 23rd match minute, MercURRI was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Konstantin Veselov to maneuver through the defense. 23 minutes into the match, Ufa's Trifon Zharikov broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. If Vito Simão had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 25th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. After 26 played minutes MercURRI got a freekick which was hit by Konstantin Veselov. After a defensive mix-up in MercURRI's zone, Trifon Zharikov stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Aleksey Boyarinov came out of the goal and Trifon Zharikov tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. When Ufa's Vito Simão in the 38th minute got a chance for a shot 38th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye MercURRI's goalie prevented a goal. The supporters of Ufa booed when MercURRI was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 42 match minutes in a wonderful position. Albert Bronevoy didn't get a good kick on the ball. Trifon Zharikov, 43 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. Vito Simão sent away a hard shot on goal in the 46th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The MercURRI players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Ufa were winning 0-2.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Vito Simão was the one to do the kick off. David Shkarupilo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 54th minute. Aleksey Boyarinov tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Aleksandr Bakhir showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ivan Bilyaletdinov in the 62nd minute of the match. Vito Simão fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 64th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Aleksey Boyarinov having to interfere. Vito Simãos short, quick shot in the 71stth minute got Aleksey Boyarinov to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Aleksey Boyarinov made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from David Shkarupilo in the 77th minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Vito Simão in the 81st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Aleksey Boyarinov saved MercURRI from getting behind. When the match had gone on for 84 minutes, Vito Simão put it in 0-4 from a short distance just to the right of Aleksey Boyarinov. Nikita Vakulin could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 88th minute of the match, but Aleksey Boyarinov made a huge save. When Vito Simão came up free with the goalie in the 89th minute, the Ufa fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Vito Simão couldn't finish the play. 91 minutes into the game, Ufa's Vito Simão nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Aleksey Boyarinov made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-5. After 96 minutes, Prokl Kalashnikov mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the MercURRI and the Ufa players grew even worse after the yellow card. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 95th minute of the game. One of MercURRI:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Ufa:s goal. The goalkeeper, Aleksey Boyarinov, was totally fooled by Ufa's Trifon Zharikov, who 97 minutes into the game made a penalty shot that went in on the goalkeeper's left side. Ufa's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.