"Ural's player 'Ahmat' secures deal: Next season's Premier League bid hinges on performances with Grozny's club"
Ural Secures Playoff Berth, Set to Face Pari Nizhny Novgorod
In the concluding match of the Russian First League season, FC Ural emerged victorious over SKA-Khabarovsk, securing a 3-1 home triumph that ensured their participation in the playoff contests. The successful outing propelled Ural to fourth place in the standings, overtaking Sochi and earning a spot in the playoffs.
However, the playoff race lost some of its luster after news surfaced that Novorossiysk's Chernomorets, who finished third and defeated Sochi in the last match of the season, would not receive a license due to inadequate stadium facilities. This unfortunate development meant that Sochi, who were previously expected to miss out on the playoffs, would instead be playing in the post-season clashes.
Ural, now facing FC Akhmat Grozny in the playoff matches, and Sochi encountering Pari NN Nizhny Novgorod, will duke it out for a coveted spot in the Premier League. Ural's opponents, Akhmat, have consistently posed a challenge for the Ekaterinburg team, with Ural managing only three draws and six losses in their last nine encounters.
Akhmat has remained a Premier League fixture since returning to the top division in 2008, often offering tough competition for Ural, particularly on their home turf. Neither team is relishing the prospect of facing the other in the playoffs, given their recent history.
For Ural, the playoff matches present an opportunity to salvage a disappointing season and achieve their principal objective: a return to the Premier League by season's end. A successful campaign could erase the bitter defeats and tense moments of the past, with winners receiving widespread accolades. While Akhmat has struggled with consistency this season, Ural, too, has not been immune to inconsistency. Ultimately, the team that maintains focus and is more motivated throughout the playoff ties will secure a place in the top division for the next season. The first leg is scheduled for May 28 in Yekaterinburg, with the return leg taking place in Grozny on May 31.
It was previously reported by Obskaya Gazeta that Ural had secured a place in the playoff matches, aiming for promotion to the Premier League next season.
Ural aims to earn promotion to the Premier League next season, as they prepare to face Akhmat in the playoff matches. Meanwhile, Sochi will battle it out against Pari Nizhny Novgorod in the European leagues, despite initial expectations of missing out, due to Chernomorets' licensing woes.
