Former Russian national team coach Igor Korneev explained what factors helped Akron Togliatti beat Zenit St. Petersburg in the third round of the Russian Cup RPL Road group stage. His words are a guide “Match TV”.
“Akron is an arrogant team. All of this also comes from the coach. It is clear that the team is still young and needs reinforcements. Zenit did not make the most of its chances. But that does not diminish Akron’s virtues. The team did its best on the field, fought and did its best,” he said.
The match, which took place at the Samara Arena stadium, ended with a score of 1:1 in regular time, and the Tolyatti club was stronger in the penalty shootout.
Zenit opened the scoring with a goal scored by 20-year-old defender Dmitry Vasilyev in the 45th + 2nd minute. “Akron” equalized the score in the second half – in the 54th minute Tolyatti forward Ivan Timoshenko converted a penalty. In the subsequent penalty shootout, the home team was stronger: Zenit’s Brazilian forward Arthur could not convert his attempt.
Zenit continues to lead Group D with seven points after three matches. Akron is in second place with five points.
Group rivals Fakel Voronezh and Rubin Kazan also played on August 27, Kazan won with a score of 2:0.
Previously Sergey Semak explained Lost to Akron in the Russian Cup.