Former goalkeeper of Spartak Moscow and the USSR national team, Anzor Kavazashvili, opened up about the painful moment he watched during the semi-final of the Russian Cup Regions Road. The match pitted the First Division club Akron against Spartak Moscow, and Kavazashvili admitted that the scene was hard to bear for any football lover who remembers the club’s proud history. He expressed deep disappointment as he watched his old team fall short in a game that tested nerves and resolve on both sides, a moment he described as bitter and hard to swallow for fans who expected a different outcome.
“I have no words. I’m so angry. This is unbearable to watch. It’s a pity,” Kavazashvili said, conveying the raw emotion that accompanies dramatic cup ties. The remark came to light through coverage by sports24 and reflected the high stakes and the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies knockout football in regional competitions, where every minute can tilt the balance of a season for clubs with storied pasts and ambitious futures.
In the final tally, the red-whites suffered a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Togliatti. The action was intense from the opening whistle, with Spartak showing intent to seize control early in the match. The visitors had a golden chance to take the lead in the 23rd minute when Keita Balde earned a penalty, but Togliatti’s goalkeeper Sergei Volkov produced a save that preserved momentum for his team and shifted the momentum of the contest. The save became a turning point, underscoring how fine margins shape cup ties and define paths for clubs in the regional stages of the competition.
Akron capitalized on the moment just before the halftime break, with Andres Ponte and Nikita Saltykov each steering the ball into the net to give their side a deserved advantage at the interval. The second half saw Spartak push to bridge the gap, and defender Tomas Tavares found a breakthrough in the 78th minute, narrowing the deficit to one goal. Despite persistent pressure and several promising moments, the red and whites could not complete the comeback, with the final whistle signaling their exit from the Russian Cup Regions Road semi-final and prompting reflection on what adjustments are needed to reclaim momentum in upcoming fixtures.
Following the result, Guillermo Abascal, the head coach of Spartak, addressed the team’s supporters with a candid apology. His message acknowledged the disappointment of the defeat while stressing the importance of learning from the setback and preparing with renewed focus for the rest of the season. The club’s leadership and the coaching staff emphasized unity and resilience as they prepared to translate the emotional energy of a late-season cup exit into better performances in the domestic league and future cup campaigns.
Meanwhile, reports from the match day described a tense atmosphere at Kristall stadium in Zhigulevsk, where Spartak Moscow fans were noted for their fervent support during the second stage of the Russian Cup Regions Road semi-final. A corner flag incident during the confrontation with Akron was cited by observers; the event added to the emotional color surrounding the day, though it did not change the fundamental outcome of the game. The broader narrative from the semi-final highlights the enduring passion that fans bring to regional football in Russia and the ongoing dialogue among clubs, supporters, and officials as they navigate the evolving structure of the competition.