Commonwealth Cup: Shakhtar suffer loss

Late goals
The Ukrainian title-holders, tipped by many as favourites to win the competition bringing together the champions of the 15 former Soviet republics, were beaten 2-0 thanks to late goals from 17-year-old Marat Bikmoyev and then Mirjalol Kasymov, who scored seconds apart to clinch a famous victory for Pakhtakor. In the other Group C game, Lithuanian champions FBK Kaunas won 2-1 against the Azerbaijani Under-21 side, who are competing after the suspension of that nation's domestic championship.

Lokomotiv's winning start
Russian champions FC Lokomotiv Moskva are fielding an experimental squad in the tournament, but made a winning Group A start against Kazakhstan's FC Irtysh Pavlodar, claiming a 1-0 victory through young striker Sergey V. Ovchinnikov. FC Torpedo Kutaisi of Georgia are the early group leaders after beating Kyrgyzstani champions SKA PVO 3-0.

Tudor hat-trick
FC Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova were the day's biggest winners, overcoming Estonia's FC Flora 4-0, Cristian Tudor scoring a hat-trick, and Vadim Boret adding the other. Group D also saw the Russian Under-18 side, making the tournament's numbers up to 16, beat Turkmenistan's FC Shagadam.

Skonto show experience
Latvian champions for the last 12 years, FC Skonto, put their tournament experience to good use, as Aleksandrs Elisejevs scored twice to aid them to a 2-1 victory over Armenian side FC Pyunik, who last week lost coach Oscar López due to a pay dispute. Belarussians FC BATE Borisovv beat FC Regar-TadAZ of Tajikistan 2-0 to take the early Group B lead.

Top two go through
The top two from each group after each side has played each other once go into Wednesday's quarter-finals, with the tournament, won last year by FC Dynamo Kyiv, decided on Sunday.