. Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg beat cup holders Lokomotiv Moscow 4-2 on penalties after their tense Super Cup final ended 1-1 after extra time on Sunday.
“We had a very short pre-season training session to give our international players more time for rest,” Zenit manager Andre Villas-Boas said.
“That’s why we failed to show our best today making too many mistakes.
“But I think we were the better side today especially in the second half.”
Senegalese striker Baye Oumar Niasse put Lokomotiv 1-0 up in the 28th minute when he beat Zenit ‘keeper Yury Lodygin with a low shot from just outside the area.
But in the 83rd minute Zenit were level when Axel Witsel knocked on a free kick by Hulk to right back Igor Smolnikov who scored with a close-range header.
Extra time failed to produce a winner and in the penalty shoot-out, Zenit took the early advantage as Hulk scored the initial shot while Lokomotiv forward Maxim Grigoriev hit the crossbar.
Oleg Shatov gave Lokomotiv a chance to level as his shot hit the post, but Lokomotiv skipper Vedran Corluka sent his weak penalty straight at Lodygin before Domenico Criscito netted Zenit’s winning spot kick.
By AFP
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