Rostov's 17-year-old goalkeeper set a new shot stopping record despite letting in ten goals against Sochi in the Russian league.
Rostov were forced to play their youth players after six of their first-team squad tested positive for coronavirus. The kids got off to a great start - taking a 1-0 lead after just one minute - but quickly they fell behind and lost by nine goals away from home.
However, despite enduring a horrendous afternoon on the scoreboard it proved to be a busy one for Denis Popov, the Rostov goalkeeper, who broke a Russian League record for the most saves in a match with an incredible 15 stops - including one penalty.
Popov went on to win the man of the match award as the 17-year-old impressed despite letting in ten goals.
The club later released a statement to justify the scoreline, after it made the rounds on social media without the knowledge of their squad being struck by the virus.
It read: 'A lot of supporters of our club who don't speak Russian cannot really understand how today's tie could end with a 10-1 score. We would like to explain. Six players of our club have been infected with coronavirus, and thus, the entire team had to be quarantined.
'Football Club Sochi turned down our offer to postpone the match, and this is exactly why these young players aged 16-19 had to play in this match. The score was most likely upsetting, however, we do want you to stay on the bright side!'
The statement went on to highlight Popov's incredible afternoon between the sticks and also mentioned their 17-year-old striker Roman Romanov, who scored their only goal of the match and became the youngest player to score in the club's history.
'First of all - our 17-year-old goalkeeper, Denis Popov, made 15 (!!!) breathtaking saves (including one penalty), which is a Russian Premier League new record! Denis absolutely stole the whole show today and got his well-deserved Man of the Match award!
'Another mind-blowing highlight was definitely our first goal! 17-year-old Roman Romanov scored an incredible goal and became the youngest person to score in the history of our club as well as top three in RPL history!
'Romanov is also among the top three young goal scorers in the history of Russian Leagues.
'We know you would agree our players were fighting for every inch of the pitch - each and every one of them showed incredible character and attitude today!
'We would like to express our gratitude to everyone, all the supporters of our club around the world.'
Gunners4ever❤
0
Thank you so much for the reply, now I have learnt a lot. Wish I could give you 1000 likes... 👍😊
You're welcome🙂
uromama54
2
It depends on the rules made by the governing bodies. Let's take a look at Europe's top 5 leagues. The top divisions in England, Germany, Italy and France compare the points, goal difference and then goals scored between 2 or more teams to decide which club finishes ahead of the other. That means if two teams have the same number of points, then goal difference decides who's on top. If both points won and goal difference are equal, then it comes down to which team scored more goals in the league that season. If all 3 categories are equal, then the two teams will probably be separated by virtue of their head to head record, with away goals counting. However, if the points won, goal difference, goals scored and head to head record are all equal between 2 or more teams at the end of the season, there will probably be a play off match between them to decide a winner. That's how it works in the Premier League, BuLi, Serie A and Ligue 1. LaLiga is the only league in the top 5 European leagues to decide the superior team by virtue of the head to head record of 2 or more teams of their points are the same. For example, if Barça and Real Madrid finish level on points this season with Barça having a goal difference of +42 and Real Madrid with a goal difference of +37, which team will be decided as the winner? Real Madrid. Because they have a superior head to head result against Barcelona this season. If both points and head to head record are even, then it comes down to goal difference and then which team scored more goals. The Champions League and Europa League follow the same sequence as LaLiga in the group stage of the 2 European club competitions.
Thank you so much for the reply, now I have learnt a lot. Wish I could give you 1000 likes... 👍😊
Alkalinho
0
Sochi needs those goals to stay top.
i didn't know. but still its not proper
Gunners4ever❤
1
Hey dude, can I ask you something? When 2 teams have the same league points at the end of the season, but on goal difference the one team has +40 and the other has +43, wil the latter automatically be the winner or do they play again?
It depends on the rules made by the governing bodies. Let's take a look at Europe's top 5 leagues. The top divisions in England, Germany, Italy and France compare the points, goal difference and then goals scored between 2 or more teams to decide which club finishes ahead of the other. That means if two teams have the same number of points, then goal difference decides who's on top. If both points won and goal difference are equal, then it comes down to which team scored more goals in the league that season. If all 3 categories are equal, then the two teams will probably be separated by virtue of their head to head record, with away goals counting. However, if the points won, goal difference, goals scored and head to head record are all equal between 2 or more teams at the end of the season, there will probably be a play off match between them to decide a winner. That's how it works in the Premier League, BuLi, Serie A and Ligue 1. LaLiga is the only league in the top 5 European leagues to decide the superior team by virtue of the head to head record of 2 or more teams of their points are the same. For example, if Barça and Real Madrid finish level on points this season with Barça having a goal difference of +42 and Real Madrid with a goal difference of +37, which team will be decided as the winner? Real Madrid. Because they have a superior head to head result against Barcelona this season. If both points and head to head record are even, then it comes down to goal difference and then which team scored more goals. The Champions League and Europa League follow the same sequence as LaLiga in the group stage of the 2 European club competitions.
uromama54
2
Kinda unsporting
Hey dude, can I ask you something? When 2 teams have the same league points at the end of the season, but on goal difference the one team has +40 and the other has +43, wil the latter automatically be the winner or do they play again?
nome3737
0
Atleast the goalkeeper was motm and get some offers
Gunners4ever❤
0
Dude, Sochi didn't WANT to postpone... did you not read the article?
Kinda unsporting
uromama54
0
Stupid fans commenting rubbish without having read the article, or maybe some of you are too dense to understand??? Smh... 😕
uromama54
0
i am disappointed with the result Coz i was on bet that match. and i have not checked what look like the lineup of both team.😡😡
And whose fault is that???
uromama54
0
this is a very bad show of sportsmanship from fc sochi. fucking disgrace of a club. the young lads did good.
Sochi declined to postpone the game you idiot... Read the article!!!
uromama54
0
omg i feel bad for the goalkeeper,i wish him good luck in the future and this match don't broke him down
Definitely not broke down. Did you not read the artivle about the FIFTEEN saves he made, including a penalty, AND that he was MOTM???
uromama54
1
Why wasn't this game postponed?
Dude, Sochi didn't WANT to postpone... did you not read the article?
Don-imolite
2
Karma will definitely show face when it's time. Sochi need to know that what goes around comes around, they'll surely meet their own karma
Space_Man
0
this is sick.... how could a game be allowed to go on when a while team is in quarantine. this only shows the Russian federations ineptitude and incompetence as well as Sochi's greed. I mean often time we have talked about the damaging effect of huge scores on youths a football club allowed its senior team to score ten against a team of minors. Big shame.
Sochi needs those goals to stay top.
Gunners4ever❤
0
Rostov need to learn how to win games with their youth players from Liverpool in the FA cup😏
Gunners4ever❤
0
Why wasn't this game postponed?
vasilis44
1
omg i feel bad for the goalkeeper,i wish him good luck in the future and this match don't broke him down
logisticalclick49149
1
the young players need to keep on trying
Cuabdlot
2
trust me if arsenal plays them ,they still won't be able to beat them.
Imagine arsenal winning 3-0 against these kids and then they sub on David Luiz and end up loosing 5-3
BlueBlackSnake
0
this is a very bad show of sportsmanship from fc sochi. fucking disgrace of a club. the young lads did good.
What do you mean disgrace? They played to win points, to stay in the league
Hamedkan
2
this could be you Sochi fc,madness at the highest level
vayaiktyz
1
this is a very bad show of sportsmanship from fc sochi. fucking disgrace of a club. the young lads did good.
neucdensuy
2
Sochi a try make up goal difference .you think a ten them want score a twenty or thirty
afesga
4
shame on fc Sochi
Alkalinho
4
this is sick.... how could a game be allowed to go on when a while team is in quarantine. this only shows the Russian federations ineptitude and incompetence as well as Sochi's greed. I mean often time we have talked about the damaging effect of huge scores on youths a football club allowed its senior team to score ten against a team of minors. Big shame.
karansingh11
7
trust me if arsenal plays them ,they still won't be able to beat them.
seyabdnp
2
Preying on the weak
Saucy11
1
Talk about bullies
NiwareebaRodgers
3
Does the Russian federation care about us who place our money on these teams?
Edoo87
2
its basketball not football
Khojo_Hazard
0
he needs another MOTM award for the games he's not played yet 😡😎
AdukaAnfield
4
well when I'm reading this then I must say that this young lads deserves more than a credit.they has shows the character that soon football world will know their existence and for that goalkeeper make 15 saved it was incredible to be honest knowing it not easy to perform with the high level while you are still young.. my praise to every one of you young guns and keep it up the good job you have the bright light in your football career
dicacklnsy
0
i am disappointed with the result Coz i was on bet that match. and i have not checked what look like the lineup of both team.😡😡
Athuljr
1
he saved 15 and conceded 10 goals ! O wonder How weak is the defence
joeman89
1
Sooryas
4
He is determined lad. He tried to use his opportunity and won The Man of the match and he needs support to play better.Well done bro.
danny2welvexii
2
all this one came to spectate [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
mozzart
2
That's unfair