Rostov explain double-digit defeat after whole squad has to quaratine
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Russian club Rostov have encouraged supporters to look “on the bright side” and celebrate two young record-breakers after a makeshift team of teenagers were trounced 10-1.
Fourth-placed Rostov had to quarantine their entire first team after six players tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of Friday night’s comprehensive thrashing at Russian Premier League rivals Sochi.
The hosts turned down an offer to postpone the match, according to Rostov, and therefore a raft of players aged between 16 and 19 were hastily called into senior action for only the second fixture of another domestic European season restarting behind closed doors following a three-month break enforced by the coronavirus pandemic.
Roman Romanov scores his first goal in RPL.— Russian Premier Liga (@premierliga_en) June 19, 2020
Roman Romanov, 17, opened the scoring in the first minute – a goal described as a “mind-blowing highlight” by Rostov – but Sochi drew level five minutes later and did not look back as they ran riot against a team for whom former England and Tottenham winger David Bentley turned out seven times during a loan spell in the 2012-13 season.
Rostov also heaped praise on stand-in goalkeeper Denis Popov, who was credited with keeping the scoreline from drifting inexorably towards 25-1 on his way to claiming the man-of-the-match award.
A statement published on Rostov’s official website read: “Dear friends, a lot of supporters of our club who don’t speak Russian cannot really understand how today’s tie could end with 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.
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“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.
What a save from FC Rostov 17-year-old goalkeeper Denis Popov!#RPL#SochiRostovpic.twitter.com/cNRLhJ7jL8— Russian Premier Liga (@premierliga_en) June 19, 2020
“The score was most likely upsetting, however, we do want you to stay on the bright side!
“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! Seventeen-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 youngest 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 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.”
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