Fedor Smolov and Aslan Dashayev
The encounter of the Mir Russian Premier League third round that was held in Voronezh ended in a 3:3 draw.
After a bright win over Torpedo Slaviša Jokanović made one change in the starting eleven. The Paraguayan newcomer Roberto Fernández replaced Aleksandr Kutitsky forming a centre-back tandem with Saba Sazonov. Fakel boss Oleg Vasilenko fielded the same eleven footballers who started the previous two matches.
Before the game, many experts and fans recalled of the last match between these opponents that was held in the Premier League 21 years ago. The White-Blues won by 6:2 with an early goal scored by Anton Khazov. Today both sides also started interchanging goal scoring chances since the first minutes. Vyacheslav Grulev, Daniil Fomin, Ruslan Magal and Roman Akbashev were close to open the score.
In the first half the White-Blues looked more concrete and could register a double lead. First, Smolov converted a penalty which was earned by Daniil Fomin at the cost of injury.
Arsen Zakharyan (in the middle)
By the half-time whistle, Smolov handled the ball expertly assisted by Zakharyan and sent it past the Fakel goalkeeper making it 2:0.
The start of the second half turned out to be an incredible show. The hosts came from behind with Georgy Gongadze and Roman Akbashev's efforts. One minute later Luka Gagnidze made a low cross into the penalty box that led to an own goal by Vasily Cherov. Then the game slowed down and the spectators witnessed a long awaited return of the Uruguayan left-back Diego Laxalt.
Diego Laxalt
The visitors could equalize in the 86th minute: Ilnur Alshin succeeded on rebound and struck accurately from outside the penalty box. Just in added time Arsen Zakharyan was sent off due to unsportsmanlike behaviour and will now be forced to miss the forthcoming round.
The White-Blues sit in the second place in the table with 5 points. In the next round fixture our side will face Krylya Sovetov in Samara on Sunday, August 7.