Russia: Lokomotiv leave it late

A late goal from James Obiorah gave FC Lokomotiv Moscow a 2-1 win on the final day of the Russian Vysshaya Liga on Thursday and a chance of UEFA Champions League football next season.

Europe beckons
The success made up for Lokomotiv’s early exit from this season’s Champions League at the first group stage. By finishing third in their group, however, the club has joined the UEFA Cup at the third round stage and will play Hapoel Tel-Aviv.

Hectic finish
With FC Spartak Moscow already crowned champions, Lokomotiv knew they had to beat their city rivals to make sure of second place in the league. The hosts had to come from behind after Vladimir Beschastnykh's penalty two minutes after half-time put Spartak in front. But Dmitri Loskov equalised from the spot 15 minutes from time and Obiorah clinched the victory with a seven-metre shot.

Zenit unlucky
The three points were vital as FC Zenit St. Petersburg went into their match knowing a better result than Lokomotiv would see them finish as runners-up. As it was Zenit scored twice in the opening 16 minutes at home to beat Chernomorets Novorossyisk, who finish bottom, 2-1. Andrei Kobelev and Genaddi Popovich, with a penalty, put Zenit in charge before Roman Oreschuk pulled back a goal for Chernomorets. Zenit finish up with 56 points, the same as Lokomotiv.

Superior defence
In Russia, if any teams finish on the same amount of points they are separated by the number of wins and then by goal difference. As both sides had 16 triumphs to their name, Lokomotiv’s superior defensive record ensured they were placed higher.

Vyazmikin tops chart
FC Torpedo Moscow cemented their fourth place finish with a 1-0 final day success at home to FC Torpedo-ZIL Moscow. Torpedo’s Dmitri Vyazmikin finished as the league’s top scorer with 18 goals.

Place preserved
Lowly FC Alania Vladikavkaz preserved their top-flight place with a 3-0 triumph over visitors FC Rostselmash Rostov-Na-Donu while another team who went into the final game in danger, FC Anzhi Makhachkala, earned a 0-0 draw at home to SC Rotor Volgograd.

Saturn leapfrogged
Krylya Sovetov Samara leapfrogged FC Saturn Ramenskoye by beating them 2-0, Markos Andzhelo and Andrei Tikhonov scoring to secure fifth spot in the table. Elsewhere, CSKA Moscow ended the season on a winning note, with Stanislav Lysenko and Vladimir Kulik scoring as they beat FC Sokol Saratov 2-0.

Khazov dooms Fakel
Along with Chernomorets, FC Fakel Voronezh were the other team to be relegated, and their last top-flight game ended miserably with a 6-2 reverse away at Dinamo Moscow. Anton Khazov scored four goals, including a hat-trick inside the opening 12 minutes, while Dmitri Boulykin struck twice.The two promoted teams from the first division will be FC Shinnik Yaroslavl and Uralan Elista.