Out with the old and in with the new seems to be the trend at Dynamo Moscow. With forward Aleksandr Kokorin joining Anzhi, the oldest Russian club has confirmed the transfer of yet another player that has had a long spell with the team. Thirty-five-year-old midfielder Igor Semshov, best known for being part of the "magic triangle" in Dynamo's midfield with Danny and current reserves coach Dmitri Khokhlov in the late 2000's, has been released by the club by mutual agreement. Dynamo manager Dan Petrescu revealed Semshov will be leaving the club a week before it was official. "We really respect Igor as a big professional, who must play a lot more," he said. "Therefore, it's decided that he will go to another club." The midfielder lost his spark last season, his playing time becoming more and more of a concern. With a slew of fresh, younger talent coming in to the team, Semshov found himself playing for the reserves, making a brief appearance for the First Team at the end of the season.

Semshov, who also played for CSKA, Torpedo and Zenit, capped 56 times for the Russia National Team, scoring 3 goals. His best international performance was the 2008 UEFA Euro, where he made the semi-finals with Russia. That year marked another fantastic run in his club career. He missed only one match and had Dynamo Moscow's best "goal + assist" record.

Semshov at Torpedo Moscow.

As a CSKA youth product, the midfielder began his Premier League career at the senior team, but soon transferred to Torpedo, where his performance really took off. He was the team's ultimate playmaker, consistently voted the team's best player of the season by supporters. At Dynamo, he was no less adored; he scored his first goal in March 2006, an equalizer against the now-defunct Saturn Ramenskoye, a fiery start to the magic - and the Dynamo captain's armband - that was to come.


At Dynamo, he made 164 appearances in all competitions, scoring 38 goals and providing 24 assists. His 7-year spell with the Moscovites was not without its share of controversy, however. From joining his teammate Danny at rival club Zenit St Petersburg in 2009, to taking after his favorite player and headbutting Zenit's Danko Lazovic when he returned to Dynamo, to the tension with manager Miodrag Bozovic, the midfielder's career has been anything but smooth sailing. Despite his impressive run, he never won any silverware beyond the bronze medals he acquired with Torpedo, Dynamo and Zenit. Yet his versatile plays often earned him praise as one of the best players in the league, and his attitude at times has earned him respect from supporters of all teams. As Dynamo's then-captain, Semshov took to the pitch alongside Torpedo skipper Denis Boyarintsev to address the rowdy hooligans who had stopped the Torpedo-Dynamo match at Eduard Streltsov Stadium during the 1/16th of the Russian Cup last September. His leadership as well as his ability to change the rhythm of the game alongside his fellow veterans left many a memorable moment in the hearts of every supporter.

No matter where his career takes him, time cannot erase his monumental contributions to the clubs in which he has played.

Here's to a good transition, for both Igor Semshov and his former club.

A mere five minutes into the second half, a group of hooligans that consistently lit (and threw) pyrotechnics forced referee Timur Arslanbekov to make a difficult decision. He he had to stop the game not once, and not even twice during the match after numerous projectiles - as well as a thick fog - marred the pitch.

A fairly calm ten minutes marked the start of an eventful half - and the only full half - of First Division club Torpedo Moscow's match against current Premier League underdogs Dynamo Moscow in the 1/16th of the Russia Cup. The guests created more chances and looked to be the favorites of the match, despite Torpedo's dignified and at times tactful game. Former Salzburg striker Jakob Jantscher was active from the get-go, finding space on the right side of the box. Dynamo's Kevin Kuranyi made a run and had a nice shot that unfortunately went in behind the net. The guest team's captain, Igor Semshov, nearly opened the score himself, but Torpedo's keeper, 25-year-old Aleksandr Dovbynya, went in for a brilliant one-handed save. The guests got quite a few set pieces as well and made great use of them. In fact, Dynamo's two goals both came from Jantscher's corner kick deliveries. Defender Vladimir Rykov scored a double, getting in two headers from the corners. Right after his first goal and a save by Dovbynya, the referee called for a timeout as fans began to light the pyrotechnics. The match resumed shortly after, only to be cut short for another minute as buckets of water were used to put out the flares. The crowds appeared to have calmed down as the home team created some danger near the net. There was some hesitation with the final shot, and Dynamo keeper Roman Berezovsky was right on the ball. Though possession was swaying a bit in favor of the home team, their opportunities were slim. An offside call disallowed Jantscher's goal right before the referee paused the game for a third time after a petard flew right onto the pitch. The ref had lost some of his patience, and the teams took a longer break. Torpedo's captain Boyarintsev signaled for his teammates to head out of the pitch as he addressed the crowds together with Dynamo's skipper Igor Semshov. 

Hooligans light pyrotechnics during the game. Photo: © РИА Новости. Антон Денисов.

The game resumed five minutes later, continuing where it left off. Jantscher took another corner for Dynamo as Rykov netted in his second header right into the upper left corner. Torpedo's Ivan Rodin was booked for a foul on Adrian Ropotan, though the commentator thought that the supporters should have gotten the first yellow. Rykov gave away a set piece and got his yellow after cutting short a Torpedo player's one-on-one run. The home team cleared the ball and set up another attack that ended with Jantscher's right-footed shot, but the attempt was apprehended by Dovbynya, who positioned himself well for the save. The locals were suspiciously well-behaved as they applauded their team's last-minute attempt. 

The home team was motivated as ever at the start of what looked to be an exciting second half. Their skipper missed another goal-scoring moment, sending the ball wide of the left post. Berezovsky came through for Dynamo with a very difficult save, while a defender cleared the ball from the goal line just as it appeared to be going in. A Torpedo player thought that the ball went in, but the referee was convinced that it hadn't. Even the replay shown on TV channel Russia-2 was difficult to decipher - from one angle, most of the ball appeared to have crossed the line, while other vantage points showed otherwise. Torpedo's skipper finally scored for his team after a long pass into the box, though Berezovsky had almost reached the ball to make the save. This time it was Boyarintsev who took the ball and stopped the game after more and more petards filled the pitch with smoke. The skipper repeatedly addressed his supporters, but his requests to cease the throwing and igniting of projecticles were ultimately ignored.

Denis Boyarintsev addresses the supporters.

Igor Semshov addresses the supporters.

Though the fog over the pitch subsided fairly quickly, the throwing of pyrotechnics created potential danger to players of both teams as well as the referee.

The referee stopped the game once again, this time for good.

Commentators ruled out a false assumption that the actions of the hooligans were aimed at Dynamo skipper and midfielder Igor Semshov, who had a 7-year spell at Torpedo earlier in his career, scoring 54 goals in 216 games. Most likely, the hooligans were targetting their own club, as they have recently shown their growing displeasure at the management. Chanting "Руководство –- вон" ("Management - out"), the hooligans made obvious their real target audience.

After minutes of anxious waiting, a message on the intercom announced the end of the match, met by booing from the stands.

Earlier on, over 100 fans, about 50 each from both teams, started a massive brawl outside the stadium.

What's even more disgraceful is that even after both teams left the field, a group of journalists almost got hit by pyrotechnics that were thrown onto the pitch.

I neglect to call these persons "supporters" because no true fan of any team would ever do such a thing. Regardless of who they were targetting, the actions of these individuals had a negative impact on both sides. Furthermore, the instigators financially damaged the home team, which is barely scrambling enough money from its sponsers as it is.

The actions of the hooligans are a disgrace to both teams and perhaps even more so to the honored name of the stadium that hosted this game.

No matter what actions the local police will choose to take, it won't erase the fact that a beautiful game was over all too soon.

Whether either team will continue in the Cup remains undecided, though the likelihood of the Eduard Streltsov stadium being disqualified at this rate is pretty high.


GoalChatter will be on the lookout and will report the final decision regarding the Torpedo vs. Dynamo match in the 1/16th of the Russia Cup.



Russia Cup - 1/16
Wednesday, September 26, 2012, 11:00AM EST

FC Torpedo Moscow vs. FC Dynamo Moscow - 1:2* (0:2)
* MATCH SUSPENDED 
Arena: Eduard Streltsov Stadium (Moscow)
Referee: Timur Arslanbekov (Moscow)
Goals:
0:1 Vladimir Rykov (Asst. Jakob Jantscher) ('17) 
0:2 Vladimir Rykov (Asst. Jakob Jantscher) ('32)
1:2 Denis Boyarintsev ('50)

What do RPL's Dynamo Moscow have in common with the New England Revolution?

If you have been following the MLS lately and just happened to catch Dynamo's latest games, there's no doubt you've noticed a familiar pattern. For starters, the MLS and RPL teams have new managers this season. Both teams have been improving in the attack, creating more and more chances in the opponent's box, leading to quite a few early goals. Yet both the Revs and Dynamo Moscow have also been consistently conceding after those early goals. The situations are almost parallel, with one major exception - the goalkeeper. The Revs would have conceded far more than they already have if not for Matt Reis' skills. With a .729 save percentage and some of the best records in the league, it's no wonder he's been made captain of the team. Reis has been great at stopping difficult shots, including penalties (remember him scoring and then saving a penalty in the 2010 SuperLiga?). The complete opposite of the brilliant keeper is Anton Shunin. Dynamo Moscow's main keeper can't save an average shot on goal, let alone a penalty, and don't get me started on set pieces! If I had a dollar for every time Dynamo has conceded from free kicks last season and in this season's first games, there'd be enough money to finish VTB Arena in under 2 days. 

Dan Petrescu gestures to his team. Photo: Dmitry Korotayev/Getty Images Europe

Dan Petrescu's first league game in the technical area this season just happened to be against his former club, where he faced disqualification for a scuffle with a referee. Since taking up the post as head coach of Dynamo, he has vowed to reform the team into a winning side. Not much of that winning mentality was visible on the pitch during the first half. Neither team made much of an effort beyond holding on to the ball and the occassoinal foul. The game finally started to heat up towards the end when Igor Semshov was in action. His best attempt was more like a pass to the keeper, however, and was easily apprehended by Belenov. The referee booked Semshov a minute later, apparently having mistaken him for his teammate Vladimir Granat, whose challenge should have earned him the yellow. News sources cite dissent as the reason, however. The guests had a free kick that went wide of the net, leaving the last minute of play in Dynamo's hands. Christian Noboa found space in front of the opposition's net and curved the ball in with a right-footed shot that gave Dynamo a 1-0 lead seconds before halftime. As with almost any first half played by the team's MLS counterpart, the New England Revs, Dynamo's first goal seemed to set a precedent for the rest of the match to go in their favor.

Christian Noboa celebrates his goal for Dynamo. Photo: Dmitry Korotayev/Getty Images Europe

No halftime substitutions were made. The guests got ahold of the ball and infiltrated Dynamo's box. A free kick gave the home team a series of moments to set them off into the attack. Kokorin picked up the ball from Noboa, and, running towards the keeper for a rendezvous, flailed his arms about, earning him a handball and the guests a free kick. Spanish defender Angel Dealbert cleared the ball away after a Dynamo attempt. After an unsuccessful counter by Kuban, Dynamo's Semshov had his one-on-one run with the keeper, but his attempt to shoot the ball over Belenov resulted in the keeper's successful catch up in the air. A dangerous free kick got Kuban the late equalizer. Artyom Fidler's set piece delivery had a slight ricochet off the wall that only helped his shot fly into the net. Aleksei Ionov went one-on-one with Shunin, but his goal was disallowed for an offside. Dynamo had an array of subpar attempts which mostly ended in weak shots aimed straight at the keeper. The team had the ball in the box so many times, that at some point, it was harder to miss than to score. Ozbiliz, who was subbed in earlier in the second half, had a right-footed shot that nearly got Kuban their second goal, if it wasn't for the crossbar. Misimovic, who was subbed in for Semshov, took a free kick for the home team on the last minute of regular time. The ball ended up going out of play, but neither the referee nor the linesman took notice. Kuban picked up the ball for a successful counter in stoppage time, with Ozbiliz scoring the winning goal for Kuban, a left-footed shot during the last minute. Dan Petrescu left the pitch before the referee blew the final whistle. The manager didn't show up for the post-match interview and the press conference. Considering the way the game was going as well as Dynamo's current position at the very bottom of the table, you can't really blame him. But if there's one thing the coach failed to do, it's preventing his team from panicking after the equalizer. 

Kevin Kuranyi was subbed in; the striker's goalless streak continues. Photo: fcdynamo.ru

Consistency is not only associated with good technique, but with emotional stability, a factor that the blue-and-whites are still lacking. Perhaps observing the reserve squad's games would give them a fresh perspective - the youngsters defeated Kuban's reserves 5-0, and have been on a winning streak for quite some time. The main team also failed to take advantage of the transfer window, or to at least consider the prospect of introducing a goalkeeper from the reserves. By now it's clear as day that Anton Shunin should not be playing for Dynamo or for any club in the Premier League, and it'll be a big mistake if he remains in the starting lineup for the away game against Rostov on the 16th. 


Russian Premier League - 7th matchday
Sunday, September 2, 2012, 8:00AM ET

FC Dynamo Moscow vs. FC Kuban Krasnodar - 1:2 (1:0)
Referee: Sergey Karasev (Moscow)
Stadium: Arena Khimki (Khimki)
Goals:
1:0 Christian Noboa ('45 + 2')
1:1 Artem Fidler ('65)
1:2 Araz Ozbiliz ('90 + 3')

The most exciting moment of the Dynamo vs. Dundee match. Photo: Action Images.

In the first leg of the UEFA Europa League Round 3 qualifiers, FC Dynamo Moscow somehow managed to tie their game against Dundee United at Tannadice Park in Dundee, Scotland. A nearly-packed stadium cheered on the locals. Things got a little too passionate when a handful of Dynamo fans took part in a scuffle, but two of the fans were soon apprehended by stadium security. Hungarian winger Balazs Dzsudzsak led Dynamo's first move toward Cierzniak's net, but had no one to make the cross to, as no other players were running on the ball. Igor Semshov had a shot from afar that went high. Defender Gordon Schildenfeld, who played his second match for Dynamo and his first in the starting lineup, tactfully cleared a Dundee cross from making it to the 18-yard box. Dzsudzsak went one-on-one on the attack, but lost the ball to Dundee's keeper Cierzniak, who ran out to block the shot. Dynamo made no use of their early corners, and gave the ball away to Dundee for the first time in 17 minutes. The Scots soon lost the ball, but Dynamo's counter failed. Dundee's Johnny Russell almost got a shot on goal for his team, and had an attempt at a header two minutes later, but he was offside. Dynamo's duo, Misimovic and German captain Kevin Kuranyi, missed out on a fantastic opportunity to score, but were nowhere near the ball when it entered the 18-yard box. Kuranyi had another flop on the 26th minute when he slipped and missed the ball. His best attempt was also one of Dynamo's most dangerous moments during the first half - on the 27th minute, Kuranyi's header went just wide of the right post. Schildenfeld couldn't reach a cross from his teammate for a header, and Cierzniak caught the ball. So far, Dynamo had only had two shots, neither which were on goal. Nevertheless, the team was putting pressure on the Scots, and it was working. Dundee were unable to retain possession. Kokorin's shot ricocheted off a defender and was saved by the keeper, and Dynamo appeared to be inching closer to a goal. Yet it was the Scottish team that opened the score with their only shot on goal on the 37th minute. Shunin didn't leave his net to block the shot, and Willo Flood netted the ball in against all logic.

Dundee players Keith Watson and Johnny Russell celebrate Watson's goal. Photo: SNS pics.

Leading 1-0 after halftime, the Scots were determined to make the most of the second half. Flood's shot went wide of the far post. It's tough to say the Russians took back the initiative; they never truly gave it away. Semshov scored the equalizer five minutes in to the second half, setting up his first goal of the season with help from a cross by Kokorin from the right flank. Kokorin himself had a great moment on the 66th minute, testing Cierzniak, who was there to protect the near post. Dynamo gave away corners left and right due to Shunin's sloppy saves. They were in no danger from conceding, however, as set pieces were not one of Dundee's strengths in this game. Dynamo's mistakes soon took a toll, and the vertical post saved the Russians from the Scots. A corner for Dundee on the 76th minute led to three consecutive shots from the Scots. The third time was the charm - a goal by Keith Watson. Dundee had a few set pieces and tested Shunin's net more and more. The Scots seemed quite close to leading Dynamo to their third consecutive loss this season. Dzsudzsak sent the ball high, reminding Dundee that Dynamo were still very much in charge of this game. A controversial moment arose on the last minute of play, but neither the referee nor the players noted that a penalty should have been given to Dundee. The tide of luck swung toward the Russian side when Aleksandr Kokorin's shot ricocheted into the net. The forward got booked for taking his shirt off during the goal celebration.

The second leg will be played on August 9, and Dundee supporters will head to Dynamo.

Dynamo's next game of the RPL season will take place on August 4th against Spartak Moscow.

Dundee's next game of the SPL season will take place on August 5th against Hibernian.  


Dundee United vs. FC Dynamo Moscow - 2:2 (1:0)
Goals:
1:0 Willo Flood ('37),  1:1 Igor Semshov ('50)
2:1 Keith Watson ('76), 2:2 Aleksandr Kokorin ('90+3)