Russian Cup Quarterfinals: Teams and Highlights
The Russian Cup's Path of Regions has concluded its quarterfinals, with several surprising performances from lower division teams. The competition has seen a busy schedule this season, culminating in the determination of four teams from the lower divisions that will face off against Premier League representatives. Among the standout matches was the clash between Baltika and Ural, where Ural emerged victorious despite both teams opting for reserve players. An 18-year-old midfielder, Nikita Morozov, impressed with his skillful play, but it was Mingiyan Beveev's stunning goal that secured the win for Ural, marking his first goal in three years. Coach Andrei Talalaev expressed disappointment over Baltika's performance, stating, "I am ashamed of this football, of the quality."
In another notable match, Amkar, a team that faced extinction in 2018 and was revived in 2020, shocked the competition by defeating Tyumen, thanks in part to an early goal by Kirill Kosarev. The match saw Tyumen struggle to recover, culminating in a decisive victory for Amkar.
Surprising Performances and Key Moments
Spartak Kostroma also made headlines by defeating Sochi in a challenging match that went to penalties. Despite falling behind early, Spartak displayed resilience, equalizing in injury time. However, it was goalkeeper Nikolai Zabolotny who shone in the penalty shootout, helping his team advance.
Shinnik's match against Chaika ended without a winner in regulation time, leading to a penalty shootout where 19-year-old Timofey Mitrov emerged as the hero, saving multiple penalties to secure his team's progression. The matches highlighted the growing competitiveness of lower division teams in the Russian Cup, showcasing young talents and unexpected outcomes.
