Rostov is back to league action. They managed a 0-0 draw at Alania Vladikavkaz. Eugene played the last ~30 minutes. http://espnfc.com/en/gamecast/statistics/id/358119/statistics.html?soccernet=true&cc=3888
Rostov lost at home today, 1-2 to FK Volga, who are right below them in the standings. Starikov did not make the bench; he had trained separately during the week due to some sort of injury.
Rostov just beat Spartak Moskva 1-0 on a penalty. Starikov didn't get in the game. I watched the last 30 minutes; Rostov were trying to waste time, defend, and play as physically as possible. Spartak played into their hands and couldn't get anything going. Yura Movsisyan came on in the 61st minute and made some dangerous moves in the box, had a few shots blocked, but never truly threatened. Rostov won with 38% of the possession.
That announcer just wouldn't shut up. And it's not like he was at the game. They all sit there in a Moscow studio, looking at the TV screen. In any case, FC Rostov's style is close to Uruguay's. They don't pull out of tackles. Spartak played into their hands though. This loss was on Karpin. His moves didn't make any sense.
That announcer was hilarious. He didn't know who the subs were, or who got cards, etc. It was clear he was watching the same feed we were at the same time. At one point he said, "Can we see some game action now?" when the cameraman dwelt too long on the goalkeeper.
Starikov is invisible in these highlights, even with the ever changing camera angles that sometimes show the pitch from a high vantage view and sometimes the neighboring Khrustchevkas when they tilted up from the field level shots.
soccerway has him playing on the left-wing, which is a position where the Nats definately need more depth. of course, he's no where near ready for that level yet.
Sure enough. Came off in the 65th, vs Rubin Kazan: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/rubin-kazan-fk-rostov/index/spielbericht_2222798.html
Rostov got pounded 3-0 at home by Terek Grozny. All three goals were scored by the 53rd minute, when the Rostov coach made a triple substitution (ballsy) which included Starikov coming on. The only thing of note in the FC Rostov matchtracker is that he had an almost assist to Kirichenko, who blasted a long shot way over the bar. Rostov has 25 points from 25 games, but they are still 9 points out of automatic relegation, although quite close to relegation playoff spots. I believe there are 5 games left.
Starikov missed a few weeks (due to injury I think), but he was seriously involved in the game this week. Rostov were down 3-0 at FK Amkar Perm' when Eugene came on in the 55th minute. He led an almost comeback by scoring 2 goals in the 64th and 93rd minutes. Unfortunately they didn't get the equalizer but Eugene just doubled his career goal total. http://espnfc.com/us/en/gamecast/statistics/id/365320/statistics.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901 Crappy highlights can be seen here: http://livetv.ru/en/showvideo/142744_amkar_fc_rostov/ Sweet half volley for the first goal and toe poke off a corner for the 2nd.
I can't help but think Eugene has a certain degree of talent. It's just so hard to judge based on the inconsistent minutes. He had a handful of good games, like today, mixed with some mediocre. Inconsistent minutes = inconsistent play. Maybe, despite the loss, this was a breakout game. I would love nothing more than to see him succeed. It's been such a rollercoaster ride.
Eug comes up heug!!! That first one was pretty nice. I hope the manager is wondering how the match would've turned out if Starikov played the full 90.
Sadly Starikov did not play in their next game, a 3-0 drubbing of CSKA. Rostov's regular season is over and they finish 13th, with 29 points out of 30 games. As 13th place, they play the 4th place team from the 2nd level in a home and away series to determine who plays in the RPL next season. Rostov have drawn FC SKA-Energiya Khabarovsk. Khabarovsk is all the way in the East of Russia, near China on the Amur River. The flight from Rostov to Khabarovsk is about 18 hours.
Jeez, I guess it balances out but man that travel presents a major advantage for the home team. It makes it tough; that's for damn sure. They should just meet somewhere in the middle.
Wow, I completely forgot about these playoff games. Anyway Rostov won with an aggregate of 3-0. In the first (home) game, at Rostov, Eugene entered the game in the 63rd minute. He replaced Cesnauskis who was playing left wing. I can't find any mention of him in the matchtracker other than a collision with a SKA player. The score was 1-0 when he entered and Rostov scored one more goal at the end of the game to take a 2-0 lead into the second leg. In the away game, Starikov did not play. Rostov scored in the 66th and held on for the 3-0 aggregate victory. They remain in the RPL next season. The team arrived back in Rostov at 4:40 AM local time today after a long flight with a stopover to refuel in Novosibirsk. I have no idea what the future holds for Eugene.
Eug credited w/an assist in the home leg: http://www.transfermarkt.com/en/fk-rostov-ska-energia-khabarovsk/index/spielbericht_2318555.html