The fourth friendly at the third VTB training camp ended with a 2:2 draw.
Due to Diego Laxalt and Guillermo Varela’s absence for medical reasons, Dynamo coaching staff put two nominal centre-backs Denis Osokin and Alexander Kutitsky on the wings of defense. Clinton N’Jie played the first match for Dynamo since his return from Cameroon national team. Our winger had won bronze at 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
In the 16th minute the visitors benefited from Dynamo ball loss and opened the score. Lucas Jensen made a low cross into the penalty area, where Panagiotis Armenakas rolled the ball into the empty net. It took three minutes for the White-Blues to restore the balance: Sebastian Szymanski raced down the right wing and assisted to Konstantin Tyukavin, who confidently hit the far corner with his header.
Both teams continued to find some luck in attack. Vendsyssel players earned a corner kick, from which they could go ahead. However, Thomas Oude Kotte hit the crossbar. Dynamo were luckier taking the lead in the next offensive action, when Tyukavin repeated his trick with the header scoring a twin goal. This time the brilliant youngster converted N’Jie’s cross.
At the end of the first half, the referee had to stop the match for a few minutes while doctors of both sides were administering first aid to Vendsyssel striker Wessam Abou Ali, who had got an injury in a simple game episode. Dynamo doctors and staff helped to carry the Danish player to the ambulance. Our club wish Wessam a lot of health and a speedy recovery.
Only Georgy Sulakvelidze, Clinton N'Jie and Denis Osokin remained in the lineup for the second half. It started with Dynamo evident advantage. Nikola Moro tested the goalkeeper with a cool shot from 20 meters.
In the 59th minute, Vendsyssel players managed to equalize: Montiel took a free kick from the left wing, the ball bounced from Osokin to Zander Hyltoft, who capitalised on rebound and fired past Igor Leshchuk – 2:2. The White-Blues spent the remaining time in attacks and even succeeded twice. But the referee flagged for offside depriving Yaroslav Gladyshev and Zaurbek Pliyev of a merited joy.
In final two friendlies at winter training camps Dynamo will face Alania Vladikavkaz (kick-off time at 11:00) and Rubin Kazan (kick-off time at 17:00) on February 17. According to the coaching staff decision, both fixtures will be held behind closed doors.