This archive report was first published on 20 June 2020.
On June 20, 2020, FC Rostov's first team was forced into quarantine after 42 members tested positive for coronavirus.
With no first team players available to face FC Sochi, Rostov's under 17 side was hastily assembled to take on the opponent.
Despite being unprepared, the under 17 side managed to open the scoring in the first minute courtesy of Romanov, but it was all downhill from there.
The youth side conceded 10 goals, with goalkeeper Dennis Popov making a string of crucial saves throughout the match.
Popov's impressive performance earned him the man of the match award, despite the crushing defeat.
According to Russian sports writer Slava Malamud, the under 17 side had been schooling via Zoom during the lockdown period and were suddenly called upon to travel to Sochi to play.
Popov's bravery in the face of defeat earned him plaudits from fans on Twitter.
