Rubin Kazan retain Russian title

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MOSCOW, Nov 21, 2009 (AFP) - Russia's defending champions Rubin Kazan retained their title with a 0-0 home draw with Zenit St Petersburg after their closest pursuers Spartak Moscow lost 3-2 in the Moscow derby with CSKA.

Saturday's results left Kazan with 60 points from 29 matches with an unassailable five-point lead ahead of Spartak. Zenit St Petersburg and Lokomotiv Moscow share third on 51 points.

Rubin and Zenit both went on the attack from the start, trying to expose their opponents' defensive frailties.

After the break Rubin added power and speed to their attack but Zenit defended stoutly. However, Rubin were more than happy to taker a point and clinch their second consecutive title.

"This year it was much harder to win the title than a year ago," Rubin skipper Sergei Semak said. "It's a pity we did not score today but nevertheless we deservedly won the title. It's a big success for Kazan for all of us."

Meanwhile, Russia's nine-time champions Spartak Moscow failed to get the win they needed to keep their title hopes alive.

Spartak got off to a perfect start taking the lead in the seventh minute, when Brazilian midfielder Alex scored from the spot after CSKA 'keeper Igor Akinfeyev fouled another Spartak Brazilian Welliton in the box.

CSKA poured into attack seeking an equaliser and pulled level just before half-time through midfielder Alan Dzazgoyev, who scored from the rebound after his initial six-yard header from Milos Krasic right-handed cross hit a Spartak defender.

Czech striker Tomas Necid put CSKA into the lead three minutes after the interval sending the ball home past Spartak goalie Soslan Dzhanayev after Krasic's perceptive pass.

Spartak levelled in the 64th minute through Welliton, who increased his lead in the league's scorers contest with his 21st goal firing in from close range between Akinfeyev's legs.

But in the 88th minute Necid netted his second of the match with a 23-metre screamer dashing Spartak title hopes.