Stockholm, Aug 23 (IANS/RIA Novosti): A simple finish from Keisuke Honda was enough to give CSKA Moscow a valuable away 1-0 lead as the Russian team beat Sweden's AIK here Thursday.

The crucial goal in the Europa League playoff first-leg match came in the 62 minute when Nigerian winger Ahmed Musa used his pace to beat defender Per Karlsson, drawing out goalkeeper Ivan Turina before sending a low cross for Honda who tapped the ball into the net.

The first half saw AIK test Igor Akinfeev in the CSKA goal twice. Both Celso Borges and Nils-Eric Johansson directed their efforts straight at the Russian international goalkeeper.

Musa skewed a shot wide for CSKA in the 38 minute from near the penalty spot, before Zoran Tosic wasted a chance in an even better position four minutes later.

The half ended with Alan Dzagoev flashing a shot across goal which went wide.

CSKA dominated early in the second-half, with Aleksandrs Cauna sending a low shot wide in the 56th minute ahead of Honda's goal.

The Swedish club pushed forward after CSKA opened the scoring.

In the 68th minute, Daniel Tjerstrom's curling 20-yard free-kick forced a diving save from Akinfeev, who turned the ball around the post.

Martin Kayongo Mutumba sent a shot over the bar for AIK in the 79th minute while Viktor Lundberg scooped a shot well wide from inside the penalty area deep into stoppage time.

Crowd trouble delayed the match after the goal and there were reports of fights between CSKA and AIK fans before the game.

The second leg takes place Aug 30.