Belarus Football - Week 8

May  8, 9 & 10, 2020

With the defensive shackles of the early weeks of the season being dispensed with in the last two rounds of fixtures, hopefully week 8 will be as entertaining as weeks 6 & 7. There are certainly some attractive games to look forward, but if you have to make choices it is probably best to avoid the matches at Gorodeya and Grodno.......

FK Slutsk vs Energetik BGU Minsk ( Friday at 15.00 UK time ) 

Top vs fourth. Energetik haven't drawn yet this season, so expect Slutsk to continue their good form. 2-0

Result : 1-2. Slutsk’s good run came to an end as Energetik raced into an early 2 goal lead from two penalties, both converted by Yakhsiboev, although Slutsk pulled one back before half-time. Despite dominating possession in the second half and Energetik being reduced to 10 men with 20 minutes left, Slutsk could not create an equaliser, and Yakhsiboev missed three good chances on Energetik’s rare breaks.

FK Gorodeya vs FK Minsk ( Friday at 17.00 UK time )

FK Minsk have the leakiest defence in the division, and Gorodeya don't give much away, and have a habit of grinding out 1-0 wins. So 1-0 then !

Result : 1-1. FK Minsk's neatly worked goal was cancelled out by a header from a corner just before half-time. Both teams tried hard in the second half but another goal never looked like coming.

FK Slavia Mozyr vs Torpedo BelAZ Zhodino ( Saturday at 13.00 UK time )

Any interesting match-up. If Torpedo repeat their form from last week it could be a cracker. 2-2.

Result : 0-0. Slavia dominated possession but Torpedo's mean defence was rarely troubled.

Neman Grodno vs Rukh Brest ( Saturday at 15.00 UK time )

Two teams in the wrong half of the table, neither of whom score or conceed many. Easily the least attractive fixture of the weekend ! 0-0

Result : 2-4. In one game Rukh more than double their goals tally for the season with this easy win. Apart from two goal Kadimyan, Neman were woeful and their two late goals gave a flattering look to the score.

FK Isloch Minsk vs Belshina Bobruisk ( Sunday at 12.00 UK time )

Entertaining Isloch should be too good for winless Belshina. 3-0

Result : 2-1. Isloch record a comfortable win despite giving away a late own goal. Belshina are now looking like they need snookers............

 FK Vitebsk vs Shakhtyor Soligorsk ( Sunday at 14.00 UK time )

Shakhtyor now scoring for fun, and should continue in this vane against a shell-shocked Vitebsk attempting to recover from conceding the lead and then losing to Slavia at the death last Sunday. 1-3

Result : 0-0. Shakhtyor lay siege in the second half but the Vitebsk defence holds firm.

FK Smolevichy vs BATE Borisov ( Sunday at 16.00 UK time )

Away banker, albeit BATE will be playing at their old stadium in Borisov ! Winless Smolevichy are unlikely to stop BATE's impressive form. 0-2

Result : 3-5. What a match ! After the shock of Smolevichy taking a first minute lead, BATE looked imperious in scoring three times before half-time. It looked game over, but Smolevichy raised more doubts about BATE's defence in fighting back to 3-3 with 25 minutes to play. BATE held their nerve though, and scored twice more to go to the top of the table. Good crowd too !

Dinamo Brest vs Dinamo Minsk  ( Sunday at 18.00 UK time ) 

An intriguing match between two under performing sides both desperate for a win. Could go either way but Brest showed some positive signs in their win at Belshina last weekend. 2-1 

Result : 2-1. Brest deservedly win the Dinamo derby. Minsk's equaliser was against the run of play but despite the much needed victory, Dinamo Brest should still be concerned that their dominace in games is not translating into goals. 
 
Summary :

FK Slutsk 1-2 Energetik BGU Minsk ( att : 650 )    
FK Gorodeya 1-1 FK Minsk ( att : 310 )

FK Slavia Mozyr 0-0 Torpedo BelAZ Zhodino ( att : 824 )

Neman Grodno 2-4 Rukh Brest ( att : 314 )

FK Isloch Minsk 2-1 Belshina Bobruisk ( att : 317 )

FK Vitebsk 0-0 Shakhtyor Soligorsk ( att : 595 )
FK Smolevichy STI 3-5 BATE Borisov( att : 2,915 )
Dinamo Brest 2-1 Dinamo Minsk ( att : 2,354 )

Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-LeRleli_I

Comment :
BATE move to the top of the table and Dinamo Brest move to sixth. However, only 6 points separate top 12. Neman Grodno have joint top scorer and player of the month ( Kadimyan ) but are third from bottom. Despite their fine showing against BATE it continues to look bleak for Smolevichy and both they and Belshina need to start winning games very soon. 

It was another good week for goals with over 26 scored in the 8 games. There were just three red cards, all for two yellows, and just two penalties awarded ( both scored ).

It was also a good week on the fire engine count, with vehicles spotted at 6 of the 8 grounds !