Rusty Lokomotiv celebrate close-season defeat of Monaco

LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW brushed away close-season cobwebs to defeat French league leaders Monaco 2-1 in the first leg of the Champions League first knockout round last night.

Russian international midfielder Marat Izmailov and Uzbek defender Vladimir Maminov were on target for the hosts in either half, while Spaniard Fernando Morientes scored a crucial away goal for the visitors.

Lokomotiv, who have not competed since the Russian league ended on November 1, should be happy with their night’s work but Nigerian striker James Obiorah will be kicking himself after missing a great chance to put the match beyond reach. In the dying minutes Obiorah superbly chested down a long ball from midfield and only had Monaco keeper Flavio Roma to beat but somehow his right-foot shot from close range trickled feebly wide.