Fedkov to the fore
Thursday, 26 August 2004
By Maciej Iwanski
[1] A display of organised defending built the foundations for Russian second-flight side FC Terek Grozny's 1-0 victory against Lech Poznan, matching their triumph from the first leg and booking their place in tomorrow's UEFA Cup first round draw after their debut European tie.
Steady rain
[2] The Polish Cup holders knew they had fallen to their Russian counterparts once Andrei Fedkov gave the visitors the lead in steady rain on 81 minutes. Lech needed three goals in nine minutes from that point on and Czeslaw Michniewicz's side failed to produce. "Our dreams must wait at least until next year," the home side's coach said.
Greasy surface
[3] It had taken 12 minutes for either side to muster a shot on goal, Belsan Adzhinzhal firing narrowly over for the visitors. Lukasz Madej replied for Lech, ballooning his 16th-minute shot as both sides struggled to keep their footing on the greasy surface.
Classy counterattack
[4] Michal Golinski went close from distance and Zbigniew Zakrzewski almost snapped up the rebound from goalkeeper Volodymyr Savtchenko's parry but Terek looked classy on the counterattack and only last defender Zbigniew Wojcik's tackle saved Lech when Sndrei Fedkov closed in on goal.
Desperate coach
[5] Michniewicz showed his desperation by sending out the half-fit Damian Nawrocik after the half-time interval. Nawrocik had barely recovered from injury and could only manage a quarter of an hour before being replaced as his team-mates were restricted to long-range efforts.
Killer finish
[6] Piotr Reiss drew a fine save from Savtchenko 20 minutes from time as Lech continued to press but a defensive error let in Fedkov for the header which killed the tie and disappointed the majority of the 15,000-strong crowd.