A double by Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda helped reigning champions CSKA Moscow claim the Russian Super Cup with a 3-0 victory over Zenit St Petersburg on Saturday.
Russian international full back Sergei Ignashevic also scored for the Red Army side to help them clinch their fifth Super Cup.
"We managed to score an early goal, which helped us a great deal to win," CSKA manager Leonid Slutsky said.
"I expected more trouble for my side in the late stages of this match."
He added: "We will battle to defend our title this season. Today's match proved that we have chances for success."
CSKA dominated from the start in Rostov and and took the lead in the 15th minute when Honda beat Zenit's Greek goalkeeper Yury Lodygin with a precise shot from just outside the penalty box.
Ignashevich increased the lead by firing home on the rebound nine minutes from the break following an Alan Dzagoev free-kick.
In the 74th minute, CSKA's Brazilian striker Vagner Love had a clear chance to increase his team's lead but could only hit the woodwork from close range.
It was Honda who rounded off the scoring with seven minutes remaining when he slotted home from just inside the area past the outstretched hands of Lodygin.
Source: AFP
