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Monday, 12 September 2011 23:24

Lokomotiv hero da Costa: “Zenit win will give us confidence”

Defender settling well in Russia

Manuel da Costa insists that the entire Lokomotiv Moscow side should take credit for their weekend victory over Russian champions Zenit, after the Portugal defender scored the winning goals in a memorable triumph for Jose Couceiro’s men.

Lokomotiv came from two goals down at half time to turn the game around after the interval, stunning Zenit with four goals in the second period to run out 4-2 winners. Zenit, who had Portugal internationals Bruno Alves and Danny in their starting line-up, led at the midway point thanks to goals from Danko Lazovic and Alexander Bukharov.

Portuguese coach Couceiro opted against making any changes in personnel at half time, and new signing Victor Obinna pulled a goal back for Lokomotiv in the first minute of the second period. The hosts were level just after the hour, with former Sporting striker Felipe Caicedo - a recent €7m arrival at the club - converting from close-range.

It was left to da Costa to complete the comeback, with the 25-year-old putting his side ahead with a brave header thirteen minutes from time. The defender made the game safe in the 88th minute, arriving at the back post to head in a corner taken by ex-Sporting midfielder Alberto Zapater.

“I’m happy for myself and the team. Lokomotiv played a great second half and it was a well-deserved victory,” da Costa said of a win that takes Lokomotiv up into 5th place in the Russian Premier League.

“Everyone played great. Our president came into the locker room and congratulated the entire team. This is only right, as each player gave their maximum to get this victory. All the players deserve congratulations and praise.

“Zenit are a great team. In the first half, they looked stronger than us and we could not get into the game at all. But that changed in the second half. This is a very important victory and will give great confidence to the team.

“I have had no problems adapting. I like my new team. This is a strong and committed team and I am pleased to be able to defend its colours.”

By Sean Gillen


Match highlights:



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Comments (3)
Could have had him
3 Tuesday, 13 September 2011 16:15
Mateus Florida USA
SLB could have had him on the cheap. I'm glad he's doing well.
head master
2 Tuesday, 13 September 2011 12:53
Jerrold/Canada
those were both fantastic headers!!!! well done lads.
strange week
1 Tuesday, 13 September 2011 10:22
torpiano, uk
What a strange week for him. At the weekend he is scoring 2 goals for his new club, and now this week he is in court in London because of his alleged sexual assault of a woman in a nightclub when he was a West Ham player. Apparently he 'groped and punched' a woman.

If found guilty, I hope he never gets a chance to play for the seleccao. We don't need scum like that. But I hope for his sake that these are false allegations.

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