Sochi and SKA Khabarovsk played out a 1:1 draw in the First League's Regular Season round 12 on 18 September 2026. The hosts took an early lead through Zakhar Fedorov's penalty in the second minute, but SKA Khabarovsk responded to level the scores. Arshak Koryan scored for the visitors in the twelfth minute, though the final tally remained even. Both sides had their chances and went through a flurry of substitutions in the second half.
The opening exchanges set the tone for an evenly matched contest. Fedorov converted from the spot after just two minutes, giving Sochi an early advantage. SKA Khabarovsk pushed forward and found an equaliser shortly after. Koryan added another goal for the visitors, but the game settled into a pattern where neither team could break the deadlock. Yellow cards for Litvinov, Savichev, and Metsiev highlighted the growing tension.
Coaching staffs made several changes as the match progressed. Koryan was substituted off in the fifty-seventh minute alongside Gorelishvili, while Zaika came on for Sochi in the sixty-second. Borisov and Glotov were brought on for SKA Khabarovsk around the hour mark, and Makarchuk and Grebenkin entered for the hosts. Ignatov and Sheydayev completed the changes late on, with Markitesov picking up a yellow card in the eighty-sixth minute.
The statistics tell a story of balanced competition. Sochi held 54 per cent possession and registered six shots on target, while SKA Khabarovsk managed seven shots on target despite having less of the ball. Both sides had no blocked shots and no red cards, though Sochi earned five corners to SKA Khabarovsk's two. The visitors were more disciplined in their approach, committing fewer fouls and receiving fewer yellow cards.
The result keeps Sochi in third place with 22 points from 11 games. SKA Khabarovsk remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just four points from ten matches. Neither side gained ground, but the draw at least preserved the hosts' top-half standing while offering the visitors a rare point on the road. The scoreline reflected a match where moments mattered more than possession figures.