Rivals close in as CSKA hold Rubin Kazan

The Russian top clash between Rubin Kazan and CSKA Moscow ended with the same score as with which it began: 0-0.

League leaders Rubin had been looking for their first win over CSKA since April 2006 and make an end to a drawing streak that allowed their nearest competitors to close in considerably.

CSKA meanwhile are fighting to connect to the top in the Russian Premier League and needed to overcome a surprising 0-2 defeat by city rivals FK Moscow last week.

But neither side succeeded at the Central’nyy stadium of Kazan on Saturday as the final outcome was a goalless result.

Fortunately for Rubin, nearest competitors Amkar Perm were held to a scoreless draw by Tom Tomsk, thanks to which a two-point gap is maintained between the two teams.

Amkar now share the second place with Dinamo Moscow, who won their match over defending champions Zenit St Petersburg.

CSKA are currently sixth at nine points from the leaders.