Football season in Russia has officially ended: the last play-off matches for the right to play in top division countries.
The confrontation between Orenburg and SKA-Khabarovsk ended in favor of the Far Eastern army team, which came as a surprise to many,
since the players have recently gotten into crazy shape and won at home even against motivated Rostov (2:0), which needed to score three points to get into the Europa League. This time the Orenburg team also played at home, and a victory in regulation time would have been the most predictable result of the meeting.
However, the Khabarovsk team, who took fourth place in the FNL, dug in on the defensive and defended a goalless draw for 120 minutes, after which they were luckier in the penalty shootout (5:3). It is worth admitting that the Orenburg team themselves gave the guests hope with their amazing attitude to the moments: either Blagoy Georgiev did not take a penalty, or he could not drive the ball into the empty net past the goalkeeper from three meters.
As a result, fate got tired of favoring Orenburg and decided to give SKA a chance: the Khabarovsk goalkeeper saved the kick from the penalty spot, which allowed the guests to win this match and advance to the Premier League (the first match ended with a score of 0:0).
Head coach SKA-Khabarovsk, in a post-match interview with the Orenburg press service, did not elaborate and admitted that his players were luckier.
“I am overwhelmed with emotions... The guys are great - they fully complied with the coaching instructions.
We knew that Orenburg plays very aggressively in home matches, but we managed to endure.
Both teams had good chances to score a goal, but in the end everything was decided by the lottery - a penalty. We were luckier. Thank you very much to all the guys,” said Poddubsky.
Khabarovsk striker Andrei Kobyalko, who from 2013 to 2016 defended the colors of Gazovik (the former name of Orenburg) and even helped reach the Premier League last season, after which they said goodbye to him, expressed hope that at least next year he can finally make his debut in the top flight.
“When I entered the field, even the fans greeted me. They still remember, it turns out. There is a very beautiful stadium here, and the people have developed a culture of support in connection with participation in the RFPL.
Any ambitious footballer wants to play in the Premier League. And I'm no exception.
Although I am already old by Russian standards - 31 years old. God willing, I’ll take part in the RFPL. This is the third team that has qualified for the RFPL, and I haven’t taken part in a single game. I hope I’ll take part.”
And the army midfielder, who also previously played for Orenburg (2012-2016), admitted that all his life he dreamed of entering the Premier League.
“It felt like coming to my home. It was as if he had never left. Here is a field where, as they say, you know every bump. The stadium has been transformed, everything is cozy and comfortable. When Orenburg fans pushed their team forward today, even we were pleased. It’s a pleasure for any team to play with such fans and such support.
To be honest, I’ve been going to the RFPL all my life. Through the second and first leagues... Probably, if you really want to, any goals are achievable.”
Orenburg coach Robert Evdokimov apologized to the fans after the match and wearily announced that his time at the club was most likely over.
“Congratulations to Khabarovsk on reaching the Premier League. They solved the problem, but, unfortunately, we could not do it. I want to apologize to the fans.
On the one hand, these five and a half years of work, on the other, relegation from the Premier League. But we showed the city the Premier League and good teams, noted the 47-year-old specialist. — As for today’s game, those who thought it would work were wrong easy game. The opponent is serious. This team beat Spartak in the Russian Cup. It was hard for us. But today we dominated and created chances. They didn't score. They paid for this.
I would like to thank the former general director and the current management for the joint work. My time here is probably over."
The Orenburg midfielder, in an interview with the club’s official website, explained the defeat to SKA-Khabarovsk by the fact that the team was already emotionally emasculated:
“It’s a shame that we were relegated from the Premier League, because we worked so hard to get here, and in the end we gave everything ourselves. What is the reason? We've spent a lot of effort in recent weeks. There were a lot important games, and we won them, but emotionally and physically last game burned out. But there is no need to look for explanations and justifications. We had to solve all the issues ourselves.”
Among the representatives of the top division, SKA’s entry into the RFPL was already noted by the captain, who wrote on his Twitter “Hurray! Let’s fly to Khabarovsk!”, seasoning this post with a smiley face laughing to the point of tears.
In the second play-off match, Arsenal Tula beat Krasnoyarsk Enisey with a minimal score and turned the tide of the confrontation after its defeat in the first meeting (1:2). Thanks to the away goal, the Gunsmiths prevailed in this pair and retained their registration in the RFPL, which happened for the first time in the history of the club - before, the Tula team had always been relegated.
After the meeting, the Arsenal head coach decided to immediately respond to all the criticism he had faced during the season.
“The last and most pleasant press conference of this season. Happy victory to everyone who supported Arsenal. We are pleased that we solved the problem. You saw that it was very difficult. For the first time in the history of Tula, we remained in the RFPL.
I know that in this room there are people who wrote petitions, organized rallies, drew posters... Now you can put them in one place,”
- the specialist spoke sharply about the fans who filed a petition addressed to the governor of the Tula region and the president of Arsenal with a request to fire Kiryakov. Also, the Tula coach did not ignore the comments of television experts:
“In addition, I convey my big greetings to Andrey Talalaev ( head coach of Tambov and expert of Match TV. — "Gazeta.Ru"), a super expert who prophesied that everything is clear in Orenburg, but we will have problems. This is the kind of PR of a person who must monitor his work. When I see Talalaev, I’ll say hello to him, and you yourself know what kind. So don’t let me see it.”
The Yenisei helmsman was in a less combative mood and only complained about Arsenal’s too simple game:
“Did we want to enter the RFPL? “Enisey” played honestly, we didn’t have any task... In terms of the game, I think we were no worse. I have no complaints against the judge. The fact is that we played away. Tula has a big striker, so we put three central defenders. In our FNL they don’t even play the way Tula plays - with long passes.
I didn't expect such straightforwardness from Arsenal. However, I only have complaints about myself.”
In the 2016/17 season, three teams from the FNL entered the Premier League - SKA-Khabarovsk, Dynamo Moscow and Tosno Leningrad.
You can get acquainted with other materials, news and statistics at the Russian Football Championship, as well as in the sports department groups on social networks
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After a year in the Premier League, Orenburg clearly got out of the habit of long flights to the Far East. This is probably why the match in Khabarovsk was held in the style of two FNL teams, accustomed to a large number wrestling and fouls. The final goalless draw and short press conference indicate high tension in this confrontation. As a result, the proceedings were postponed until the return match.
In Krasnoyarsk they decided to entertain the spectators even before the start of the match. “Enisey” - the owner of the brightest Twitter page in all of Russian football - pleased with another extraordinary action. Instead of football players' children, models were to be brought onto the field. As a result, they simply created a corridor through which the players went out onto the lawn. Inspired either by this or by the promised delivery bronze medals FNL after the match, the Yenisei players still put the squeeze on the Tula team at the end of the match.
Raised in front of 14 thousand spectators, the Cup for third place in the league could become a particularly important reward if Enisey does qualify for the RFPL. But a year ago the team was relegated from the FNL, but then returned due to the weak financial capabilities of Smena from Komsomolsk-on-Amur, which refused to receive a well-deserved promotion in class.
“SKA-Khabarovsk” (D1) - “Orenburg” - 0:0
"SKA-Khabarovsk": Dovbnya - Cherevko, Udaly, Dimidko (k), Ediev, Nikiforov - Mitsutskis, Karasev - Astafiev, Leskano, Kazankov
"Orenburg": Rudenko - Malykh, Oyevole (c), Sivakov, Poluyakhtov - Afonin - Parnyakov, Georgiev, Vorobyov (Popovich, 84), Nekhaichik (Koronov, 76) - Lobzhanidze (Sanaya, 76)
- Warnings: Mitsutskis, 55; Udaliy, 74 / Malykh, 61
- Judge: Sergey Lapochkin (St. Petersburg)
Opinions
Alexey Poddubsky, head coach of SKA-Khabarovsk:
It turned out to be a very good and high-quality game. Both teams did not want to concede, there was a lot of fight, but, unfortunately, few chances. The result is natural. There will be a return game, and everything will be decided there. In Orenburg we need to play strictly in defense and take advantage of our chances, we will have them.
Robert Evdokimov, head coach of Orenburg:
The game was interesting for the spectators. It may be 0:0, but it’s a fighting game. Whether this is a successful result for us or not will be clear after the return match
“Enisey” (Krasnoyarsk, D1) - “Arsenal” (Tula) - 2:1
"Yenisei": Oparin - Chicherin, Kichin, Vasiliev, Aliev - Sarkisov (Maloyan, 83), Lanin, E. Semakin, Ivanov (k), Kamesh (Chernov, 83) - Samodin (A. Kozlov, 78)
"Arsenal": V. Gabulov (c) - K. Kombarov, Belyaev, Grigalava, Sunzu, Alexandrov - Bourceanu - Maksimov, Berkhamov (Gorbatenko, 46), Doumbia - I. Shevchenko
- Goals: Alexandrov, 11, own goal (1:0); K. Kombarov, 72 (1:1); Maloyan, 90 (2:1)
- Warnings: Chicherin, 31 / Grigalava, 39; Doumbia, 65
- Judge: Vladislav Bezborodov (St. Petersburg)
Opinions
Andrey Tikhonov, head coach of Enisey:
We got scared in the second half. I didn’t expect the guests to use long passes. In the end we were lucky. Fatigue from the season has accumulated. We should have scored more in the first half. I'm glad for the victory, it will be at least three days good mood. Arsenal played at their level. The opponent surprised only with lobbed passes. Nothing more. We will prepare for the return match as a team. Do you think it will be easy in Tula? It will be a tough game. I don’t want the refereeing to decide everything in Tula. You know what I'm talking about.
Sergei Kiryakov, head coach of Arsenal:
We saw two different halves today. There was no Arsenal in the first one, we made a lot of mistakes. In the second half we took control of the ball, equalized the score, and should have scored a second. Strategically, we are satisfied with a minimal victory in Tula. Nothing is lost for Arsenal. It’s nice that so many people go to football in Krasnoyarsk. But in Tula you will see more more people. Our fans will drive the team forward. The main thing was not to lose. I wouldn’t single out anyone at Yenisei. I was surprised by the scheme with one striker.
Return matches:
15.00. "Orenburg" - "SKA-Khabarovsk"
18.00. "Arsenal" - "Yenisey"
Today the first play-offs took place, in which they measured their strengths RFPL clubs and FNL, and “Sokker.ru” recalls the history of these events, which made the championship more interesting.
There cannot be two opinions: Transition matches for places in the RFPL and FNL are good for Russian football . The fewer positions in the table that have no tournament significance, the better. This protects the championship from forming a “swamp” in the second half of the season, the inhabitants of which cannot reach the European Cups, but are also practically insured against relegation. This situation creates the ground for struggle beyond the bounds of sports integrity or, at a minimum, makes one admire unmotivated teams and players. In an ideal championship, each specific place in the table of ranks should give the owner privileges or promise trouble. It is almost impossible to arrange this, but any measures within the framework common sense, contributing to increasing the intensity of the struggle, are welcome. Let's remember how the play-offs played out in previous seasons.
2011/2012. RFPL – FNL – 2:0
"Rostov" - "Shinnik" - 4:0 (3:0; 1:0)
"Volga" - "Nizhny Novgorod" - 2:1 (2:1; 0:0)
For the first time, transition matches took place after the long 2011/2012 season, following which the Russian championship switched to the “autumn-spring” format. Then, after the usual two-round championship, the teams were divided into two eights, and if representatives of group “A” distributed tickets to European cups, then the clubs that ended up in octet “B” had to protect themselves from relegation to the FNL. Obvious outsiders immediately emerged - “Tom” and “Spartak-Nalchik” played for direct relegation, but there was a bitter struggle for the play-off zone. As a result, Rostov and Volga had to defend their right to remain in the elite. The Donetsk team defeated Shinnik with a score of 3:0 in the first match, and then won on the road with a minimal score. Current coach Kirichenko and Roman Adamov scored for Rostov. “Volga” had a harder time in the Nizhny Novgorod derby: a strong-willed victory over “ Nizhny Novgorod"and a goalless draw. Both representatives of the RFPL retained their registration in the top division, and journalists and experts had to note a serious gap in class between representatives of the RFPL and the FNL.
2012/2013. RFPL – FNL – 2:0
“Rostov” - “SKA-Khabarovsk” - 3:0 (2:0; 1:0)
“Wings of the Soviets” - “Spartak-Nalchik” - 7:2 (2:0; 5:2)
In the next campaign, until the last round of the RFPL, four teams fought around the play-off zone: Rostov, Krylya Sovetov, Volga and Amkar. As a result, the first two were unlucky, and the Donetsk team lost to the Nizhny Novgorod and Perm players only in terms of additional indicators. But the transition matches themselves reinforced the idea that FNL clubs are not ready to compete for the right under the sun, because “Rostov” and “Krylyshki” confidently outplayed their opponents, leaving them no chance. During this period, there were enough skeptical remarks about the practice of butt meetings; they said that representatives of the elite were no longer afraid of these tests, since they did not meet the necessary resistance. In fact, it just took time for the FNL to understand that “joints” are a real loophole to the top, and clubs with a good financial climate began to take care of the appropriate selection of players in advance.
2013/2014. RFPL – FNL – 0:2
"Ufa" - "Tom" - 6:4 (5:1; 1:3)
"Torpedo" - "Wings of the Soviets" - 2:0 (2:0; 0:0)
The results of transition matches this season forced a radical change in opinion about the liquidity of such fights. Both FNL representatives knocked out the teams that took 13th and 14th places in the RFPL. "Torpedo" subsequently fell into a quagmire Russian leagues for reasons not related to the game of football, but Ufa is still among the elite. The club, which made its way to the Premier League through the “junctions”, managed to gain a foothold in the top division, and at the end of the season, Ufa finished at the top of the standings. True, after the departure of “Tom” and “Wings of the Soviets” there were skeptics of a different kind: I remember that many experts stated that the renewal of the RFPL by a quarter of the total number of participants was a negative point.
2014/2015. RFPL – FNL – 2:0
"Tom" - "Ural" - 0:1 (0:1; 0:0)
“Tosno” - “Rostov” - 1:5 (0:1; 1:4)
For the fourth season of play-offs RFPL clubs again achieved complete and unconditional success. Do you remember what preceded the fairy tale that Berdyev created in Rostov? Before you win silver medals championship of Russia and shine in European competitions, the “yellow-blues” under the leadership of Kurban Bekievich saved themselves from relegation by beating “Tosno”. After a minimal victory on the road, the Donetsk team conceded in the opening match of the home match, but then Vitaly Dyakov scored a double, and Serdar Azmun scored another goal. “Rostov” is generally a champion of transition meetings. Three times this team tested fate and three times came out unscathed. In another “junction”, one goal was enough for Ural to defeat Tom in a tense Siberian-Ural rivalry.
2015/2016. RFPL – FNL – 1:1
"Kuban" - "Tom" - 1:2 (1:0; 0:2)
"Volgar" - "Anzhi" - 0:3 (0:1; 0:2)
A year ago, representatives of the RFPL and FNL for the first time parted ways with a draw. “Anji” turned out to be stronger than “Volgar” in each of the matches - the Makhachkala residents extended their stay in the Premier League, but “Kuban”, after a home victory, lost to “Tom” on the road and went to the FNL. True, the Tomsk team couldn’t stay in the RFPL, but the Krasnodar team couldn’t solve the problem of returning to the elite in one season.
General account. RFPL – FNL – 7:3
2016/2017. RFPL – FNL – ?
"SKA-Khabarovsk" - "Orenburg" - ? (0:0; ?)
"Enisey" - "Arsenal" - ? (2:1; ?)
Who will be lucky this time? Of the four participants in the “joints,” only Khabarovsk SKA had a similar experience before: in the 2012/2013 campaign, the Far Easterners lost to Rostov. “Orenburg”, “Enisey” and “Arsenal” got into transition matches for the first time. On at the moment RFPL representatives lead with a convincing score of 7:3, which should inspire optimism in Tula and Orenburg, however, if we talk about the last three seasons, the score is equal – 3:3. A to whom do you wish success in the “joints”?
This season has become the best in the history of Krasnoyarsk football.
The Enisey players guaranteed themselves participation in play-offs for the right to enter the Premier League. This became known after the end of the 36th round of the FNL championship.
Within game day Krasnoyarsk hosted Tyumen at home and achieved a minimal victory with a score of 1:0. The only goal was scored in the 89th minute by Artur Maloyan, “exploding” the stands of the Central Stadium with a precise shot from the penalty area.
After this victory, Enisey scored 60 points and secured third place in the standings. In order to secure early access to the “joints”, Andrei Tikhonov’s team had to rely on the misfires of their competitors – SKA-Khabarovsk and Tambov. As a result, the Khabarovsk team lost to Tosno (1:3), and the Tambov team shared points with Neftekhimik (1:1). Thus, Krasnoyarsk will definitely not fall below fourth place.
Enisey head coach Andrei Tikhonov admitted after the game with Tyumen that he would not forbid the players to celebrate reaching the play-offs. The specialist also noted that he intends to play with Neftekhimik with the main squad, regardless of the status of the opponent (the team from Nizhnekamsk will no longer rise above last place).
“Each of the players will go somewhere and celebrate, there are no questions, they deserve it, they did their job well. I played football myself and understand the players very well. We have a trusting relationship with the guys. When I say that you can relax and celebrate, there are no questions.
Will the main team fly to Nizhnekamsk? Basic! No one canceled the three points, which were bonus points after all. We are not in the Premier League, here the bonuses are not so big, everyone has families, children, parents... We have a normal team, we have replacements. If someone has microtraumas, muscle injuries, then, of course, we will give them a rest,” Tikhonov told reporters.
IN transition matches For the right to play in the RFPL, Enisey will play with Orenburg, Samara Krylia Sovetov or Tula Arsenal. Theoretically, Krasnoyarsk can also fight with Ural (Ekaterinburg) or Anzhi (Makhachkala). The specific opponent will be announced on May 21.
Tikhonov said that he does not see any difference with whom to play.
“What difference does it make who we play with, our guys know how to play football. Any team from the RFPL, even at the bottom of the table, is better or at the level of the first FNL teams,” Tikhonov noted.
The FNL championship season will end on May 20. "Enisey" will play final match championship in Nizhnekamsk. The second ticket to the play-offs will be played between SKA-Khabarovsk and Tambov. At the same time, Krasnoyarsk can drop to 4th place if they lose to Neftekhimik, and Khabarovsk wins its match.
The first game for the right to qualify for the RFPL will take place on May 25 in Krasnoyarsk. Return match scheduled for May 28. If two games have the same outcome, extra time and a penalty shootout will be awarded.
Let us add that the current season has become the best in the history of Krasnoyarsk football. Prior to this, the maximum result was 8th place in the FNL championship in the 2014/2015 season.
