A succession of guided Russian missiles in a penalty shoot-out that Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez had precious little chance of saving gave FC Moscow an entertaining, action-packed victory in the international club friendly at the FNB Stadium on Saturday night.
FC Moscow, in South Africa as part of their mid-season preparation while the Russian season has a winter break, converted all eight kicks in devastating fashion in the shoot-out for an 8-7 success after the teams had finished level 1-1 following the scheduled 90 minutes.
A boisterous 12 000 crowd was transformed into shocked silence as the penalty kick from Chiefs’ burly midfielder Ditheko Mototo was deflected on to the post by substitute FC Moscow goalkeeper Yury Zhaunou after 14 successive kicks had found their mark — with the issue decided when the Russians made it eight in a row from the spot.
It was a win the Russians deserved as they again demonstrated the limitations in precision, professionalism and poise of South African soccer in the wider international context — with FC Moscow’s passing and running off the ball particularly impressive.
Yet it was Amakhosi who opened the score in the 60th minute with a tap-in, angled goal from Gert Schalkwyk almost immediately after the midfielder had come on to the pitch as a substitute.
FC Moscow equalised seven minutes later after what would be termed in rugby parlance a stunning scissors movement, with another substitute, Damian Gorawski, leaving the Chiefs’ defence in disarray as he slotted the ball into the net past Fernandez.
Although the game felt a low-key while being played in the shadow of Bafana Bafana’s crucial opener in the African Nations Cup against Guinea in Alexandria on Sunday night, the proceedings exceeded expectations as both clubs gave their all and provided the crowd with more than their money’s worth.
Somewhat disappointing, however, was the low-key performance of FC Moscow’s former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Stanton Fredericks, who was unable to imprint his presence on the proceedings and was substituted immediately after Amakhosi’s goal. — Sapa