Olimp Moscow cancel out Yugoiztochen Region

Olimp Moscow and Yugoiztochen Region kept their cards close to their chests in a goalless opener to their UEFA Regions' Cup Group B campaign in Bagnoli di Sopra. Olimp Moscow rallied late on in search of an elusive winner after a tight tactical battle in which caution was the catchword.

Playing in unforgiving temperatures in Veneto, it was hardly surprising that both sides eased into the game without investing too much energy. Yugoiztochen Region's Hristo Bangeev created the first opportunity after half an hour, but his effort was too close to goalkeeper Andrei Pogorelov; Roman Asadov replied for the Russians with a shot which just missed the target.

Olimp Moscow ended the first half on a high and went close to breaking the deadlock through Vladimir Tarakanov just before the hour. Five minutes later, Teodor Stefanov hit the post with a stinging effort from distance, but that proved to be the closest either side came to scoring.

Olimp Moscow lost Radik Umyarov to a knock, adding to the injury-enforced replacement of Ilya Korobets in the first half. Yet they never lost belief and had several late chances, the best of which were spurned by Aleksandr Fuflygin.