Three headed goals gave FC Rostov a 3-0 home win against Shinnik Yaroslavl on Friday and the upper hand in their playoff contest for a place in the Russian Premier League.
The match was the first of its kind under Russia’s new playoff system, where Premier League teams play second-tier challengers in two-legged matches for a spot in the top flight.
It took Rostov just eight minutes to score the first goal under the new format as Dejan Blatnjak crossed for unmarked Romanian midfielder Razvan Cocis, who beat Shinnik goalkeeper Stanislav Khoteev with a bouncing header.
Shinnik had a chance to draw level mid-way through the first half when Maxim Burchenko dribbled past three Rostov defenders on the edge of the box, but his shot was easily caught by Stipe Pletikosa in the Rostov goal.
Dmitry Kirichenko added Rostov’s second on the stroke of half time with a spectacular diving header from Alexander Gatcan’s cross. Khoteev caught the ball on the ground, but it squirmed through his hands and over the line.
With 20 minutes remaining, Rostov made sure of traveling to Yaroslavl for Tuesday’s second leg with a significant advantage as Roman Adamov rose highest to nod in at the near post from Blatnjak’s corner.
The second playoff match, a derby between FC Volga and FC Nizhny Novgorod, has its first leg later Friday.
