The match of the 14th leg, which took place in Rybnitsa on Saturday, became the full copy of the first duel between the teams on the steelmakers’ field. Not only by the scenario but also by score. Probably, the management of the team from Rybnitsa was disappointed only by that the stadium was not sold out. Previous visits of the Champion generated considerable public excitement. The weather was called to be one of the plausible reasons. That autumnal day which was hot as in summer let people rest once more on nature.
The game itself, especially in the first half, looked like a battle. “Iskra-Stal” sent practically all players into defense. As in the previous match against “Nistru” from Ataki, it seemed that our players had to pass through impenetrable jungle of the defense. The only forward of the home team, Nikolay Zhosan, constantly created discomfort for center backs of the visiting team not allowing them to start rapid attacks. And certainly, the team from Rybnitsa put its heart in the work. It seemed at times it was the last match of the season for “Iskra” and many things in their life would depend on it.
And “Sheriff” was seeking. During 42 minutes our team was looking for ways to Leu’s goal, emphatically carrying out attacks either on the right flank, where Balima was marked by two opponents, or on the left one where Thiago for the time being could not free himself of marking of opponents who threw themselves upon his feet like on an embrasure. All methods were used. The main thing was to prevent the guests from deploying. Leonid Kuchuk’s players were increasing the tempo every minute. The first dangerous moment was created by Balima who, thanks to his persistence, forced Verbetsky to make a mistake and threw the ball over the goalkeeper but there was nobody to make a finishing touch.
Usually such matches were played until a goal. And when in the 42nd minute Corneencov finished by header in fall the free kick of Wallace, it became clear that “Sheriff” would leave Rybnitsa with the whole three points in spite of the fact that in the beginning of the second half the home team accepted the open battle and tried to win back. It was the mistake. As a result, in their defense appeared gaps which became tasty morsels for wingers of the visiting team. Everything was made clear in the 66th minute. Alexeev, who was fielded after a long-time break connected with his injury, pierced the defense on the right flank and made the perfect center pass. On the line of the penalty area Aliaksei Kuchuk, surrounded by two defenders, elegantly threw the ball over Leu.
And already in 13 minutes the masterpiece-goal took place. Even managers of “Iskra-Stal” expressed their admiration when the combination of Kuchuk-Balima-Nadson finished in the exact shot of the last one into the near top corner of the net. The last 8 minutes players of “Sheriff” controlled the ball and during the whole five minutes were in possession of it. Everything was over by the dangerous corner kick. And despite lack of a fourth goal, the Champion’s victory was persuasive and, more importantly, beautiful. Well, supporters in Rybnitsa could enjoy the real attacking football with lots of combinations throughout fronts of attacks. |
