League

Stadion Magnitogorsk
Spectators: 6704 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1704, VIP seats: 0) Magnitogorsk's Aristarh Vorobiev started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Khimki's Efim Merkulov played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Aristarh Vorobiev in the 4th minute of play. Oleg Boyarinov hit a great freekick 10 minutes into the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Oleg Boyarinov in the 14th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Viktor Afanasev saved Magnitogorsk from getting behind. In the 15th minute, Timofey Nikolaev 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. The audience was convinced that Oleg Boyarinov's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Viktor Afanasev was relentless in the 18th minute of the game. 25 minutes into the match, Magnitogorsk's goal looked a bit too open when Oleg Boyarinov came free, but Viktor Afanasev reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Efim Merkulov showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Aristarh Vorobiev in the 29th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Oleg Boyarinov in the 33rd minute of play forced Magnitogorsk's goalkeeper Viktor Afanasev to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Aristarh Vorobiev succeeded in the game's 39th minute to shoot an unreachable shot under the crossbar and scored - 1-0. Oleg Boyarinov recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 44th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Oleg Boyarinov to strike the kick off in the second half. Timofey Nikolaev sent away a hard shot on goal in the 51st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Timofey Nikolaev fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 53rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Viktor Afanasev having to interfere. In the 55th minute Roman Blinov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Efim Merkulov saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Oleg Boyarinov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 57th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. A collision led to Magnitogorsk getting a freekick after 62 minutes play. Aleksandr Blokhin hit a great ball. After having played for 65 minutes, Oleg Boyarinov managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Khimki's supporters crossed their fingers, but Oleg Boyarinov was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Danila Kilchichakov kicked well hit freekick during the 68th minute of the match. Timofey Nikolaev's late challenge caught a Magnitogorsk's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Timofey Nikolaev helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Khimki's Timofey Nikolaev got a free kick in the 70th minute. Efim Merkulov showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Roman Blinov in the 71st minute of the match. 73 minutes into the game, Magnitogorsk's Roman Blinov nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Efim Merkulov made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-0. An unexpectedly hard shot by Roman Blinov in the 79th minute of play forced Khimki's goalkeeper Efim Merkulov to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 81st minute, Aristarh Vorobiev made a precise shot to the right of Efim Merkulov. Khimki's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 3-0. In the 84th minute, Aristarh Vorobiev left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Magnitogorsk fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 4-0. After 87 minutes, Aleksandr Blokhin mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Magnitogorsk and the Khimki players grew even worse after the yellow card. Aleksandr Blokhin kicked well hit freekick during the 88th minute of the match. 91 minutes had been played when some careless play by Magnitogorsk's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Grigoriy Myasnikov was slow to take the kick. During this time Khimki's players had a chance to rest. The corner led Khimki's Grigoriy Myasnikov to fire away a dangerous shot which Viktor Afanasev despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. The audience thought a goal was coming when Timofey Nikolaev got free with Viktor Afanasev in the 94th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Khimki's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.