The CSKA goalkeeper annulled the match and then the penalty shootout. This is Torop’s performance from Sochi!
Dmitry Zimin September 20, 2023, 17:43 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Even the change of coach did not help the Black Sea team.
Sochi became the main news provider earlier in the week. The team played three games in a row away from home, but after the first they changed coaches. Dmitry Khokhlov was fired on September 17, that is, two days before the meeting with CSKA. Instead, Alexander Tochilin was given the job, but there was simply no time to change anything before the cup match. Unless it influences the emotional background. And the new coach achieved it.
In general, CSKA is not doing well in the Russian Cup. It seemed that in the group with Sochi, Orenburg and Fakel should be the favorites. But after three rounds the army team took second place. With decent density on the table. A game could knock them back to last place or bump them up to first place.
Vladimir Fedotov traditionally used the second most important tournament to test the nearest reserve. But this time he partially deviated from his usual plan. Torop, Agapov, Kislyak, Faizullaev; Otherwise, the lineup almost seemed like the main one. Tochilín also realized the importance of the match, so he tried to make the most of the strongest. Once again, taking into account their preparation, a very difficult match against Spartak took place on Saturday.
The teams started very cautiously. Almost without moments, but with arrogance. Already in the first 18 minutes Mukhina arrived first and then Chalova. But they were able to continue the meeting. The first dangerous moment was created in the 23rd minute, when Georgiy Melkadze’s precision failed. It is not the last time in this match. Christian Noboa brought the striker to goal with a perfect pass, but his shot went wide of the post.
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Georgy had his next chance eight minutes later, but couldn’t hit the ball well after Artyom Makarchuk’s stoppage time. It seemed that Sochi was very close to opening the score, but CSKA still responded with a couple of dangerous attacks: in the 37th minute, Chalov headed under the crossbar and Goilo managed to save.
Although in the end the Sochi team achieved its goal. This time, applause for Melkadze, at least for not seizing the moment for himself. From the right wing he passed to the center, where Noboa ran towards the ball. Christian, from an advantageous position, made no mistake and shot wonderfully into touch.
During the break, Fedotov made only one change, bringing on Glebov instead of Kelven. In fact, the team perked up a bit. And he had a good chance to equalize early in the second half. But Goylo did not allow him to do this: he saved after Faizullaev’s hit. CSKA really started to act more solidly, although this did not translate into moments. In the 70th minute the score could reach 0:2. Melkadze even scored! But before that, Timofey Margasov was called for offside.
Georgy Melkadze is upset
Photo: RIA Novosti
Fedotov made a couple more substitutions, releasing Zabolotny and Dávila. It seemed like this would definitely help him score at least once. CSKA showed even greater aggressiveness in attack and still tied 12 minutes before the end of regulation time. Oblyakov is worth thanking.
But if you think that CSKA flew to finish off the rival, that is not the case. Only thanks to Torop did the military team finally not concede another goal. The absolutely unfortunate Melkadze did not take advantage of the one-on-one opportunity today. Then the goalkeeper stopped Amir Batyrev’s shot and in added time he made two saves in a row.
Vladislav Torop
Photo: CSKA
And it seems that Vladislav carried that courage into the penalty shootout. First, he received the first blow from Makarchuk and then the fourth from Batyev himself. The result is a victory and two points for CSKA.
The Muscovites temporarily took first place in the group, but the advantage remains very fragile: Orenburg, which will continue to play with Fakel, has one point less, and Sochi has two points less. But there are still players from Voronezh who will surely compete to advance to the next phase after the arrival of Sergei Tashuev.
