May 29, 30 & 31, 2020
Another fascinating week in store
in week 11 in the Belarus season with the Dinamo Minsk versus Shakhtyor match catching
the eye. Elsewhere there is the Brest derby, and BATE will be looking to
continue their impressive run, whilst Energetik and Torpedo will be looking to
win their home matches to maintain their challenges.
Torpedo BelAZ Zhodino vs FK Smolevichy STI ( Friday at
16.00 UK time )
Winless Smolevichy have actually
only lost once away. However, Torpedo are unbeaten at home, conceding only one
goal so should win to keep the pressure on at the top. 2-0
Result : 2-1.Smolevichy’s luck must surely change soon. After outplaying Torpedo for large parts of this game, an unfortunate own goal consigned them to another defeat, and a host of missed changes proved costly.
Two sides at the wrong of the table both in need of
points. Neman have taken only one point away from home. Gorodeya always make it
difficult for opponents to play. 1-1 ?
Result : 0-2. A good job this match was not in black and white as
the dark greens played the dark greys ! After Neman's goal-keeper appeared to
be harshly sent off for a foul outside of the area, the referee made up for
this by awarding Neman a ridiculous penalty, which Kadimyan gratefully converted.
A late goal breakaway sealed an unlucky defeat for Gorodeya.
Belshina Bobruisk vs FK Slavia Mozyr ( Saturday at 15.00 UK time )
Belshina desperately need to win to close the gap
at the bottom but will find it difficult against a decent Slavia side. 1-1
Result : 2-3. Similar to Smolevichy, Belshina's luck must surely change soon. In a match played in heavy rain, Belshina raced into an early 2-0 lead and despite Slavia pulling one back before half-time, they controlled the match. However, they too conceded an unfortunate own-goal and then a cruel deflection gave Slavia an 89th minute winner.
Dinamo Minsk vs Shakhtyor Soligorsk ( Saturday at 17.00 UK time )
Potentially the tie of the round. Shakhtyor have
taken 13 points out of the last 15 without conceding a goal whilst Dinamo have
looked good at home. If Shakhtyor can survive Dinamo’s usual fast start they
could go onto win. 0-1
Result : 0-1. Predictably Dinamo pressed early on but two half chances came to nothing. Lisakovich beatsthe offside trap and his cool finish gave Shakhtyor the lead after 50 minutes. Thereafter Dinamo never look like getting back into the game. Shakhtyor's run continues and they have still only conceded three goals this season.
Energetik BGU Minsk vs FK Vitebsk ( Sunday at 14.00
UK time )
Second placed Energetik have won their last four
matches whilst Vitebsk have drawn their last three. Should be close but expect
the Students to edge this one. 2-1
Result : 3-3. Defending appeared to be an optional extra in the first half as goals looked likely every time either side attacked. Energetik did not appear to be affected by the absence of top scorer Yakshibeov and Vitebsk Moldovan goal machine, Nicolaescu tucked away a penalty after a needless trip. Energetik led 3-2 at the break but the game turned after Yudchits rash challenge saw red. Vitebsk piled forward in search of the equalizer but a combination of desperate defending and poor finishing looked to have earned Energetik an important victory. However, Julio Cesar's 94th minute headed gave Vitebsk a deserved draw.
BATE Borisov vs FK Isloch Minsk ( Sunday at 16.00 UK time )
In form league leaders and championship favourites BATE
should record a routine home win against the ever entertaining Isloch side. 3-1
Result : 1-0. Isloch can feel a little hard done by after matching BATE for long periods of this match. However, card happy referee Denis Scherbakov looks determined to win the most cards awarded per game title and had a big influence on the result. The deciding goal came in the 39th minute when Scherbakov awarded a penalty for a handball the defender could do little about, and the match turned after two yellow cards in three minutes to Isloch's Yansane with 30 minutes left on the clock. Another Isloch red card in the 94th minute was fair enough, the last man stopping a clear run on goal. BATE were unable to extend their lead, hitting the wordwork twice and spurning several chances in the closing minutes.
Rukh Brest vs Dinamo Brest vs ( Sunday at 18.00
UK time )
Rukh are unbeaten in seven matches and Dinamo are playing better
than their results suggest. However, Rukh have only conceded six time all
season and are likely to be just as frugal in the derby. 0-0
Result : 1-4. Dinamo took the bragging rights in the Brest derby although the scoreline is misleading. The match turned in the 72nd minute when Dinamo were awarded a harsh penalty for a handball the defender couldn't avoid and two late goals added gloss to the finish and dent Rukh's previously impressive defensive record.
FK Minsk vs FK Slutsk ( Monday at 16.00 UK time )
Minsk return after their two weeks enforced
isolation looking to move out of the bottom three. Their two games in hand the
table doesn’t reflect their true position, but they will struggle to get
anything from a Slutsk side with three wins out of four away from home. 1-2
Result : 1-0. A defensive mistake gives Minsk an early lead from Slutsk are unable to recover despite dominating the match. Minsk have chances on the counter but are denied by a post and a block on the line.
Result : 1-0. A defensive mistake gives Minsk an early lead from Slutsk are unable to recover despite dominating the match. Minsk have chances on the counter but are denied by a post and a block on the line.
Summary :