Another fascinating week in prospect, especially with the top two sides meeting.
However, the postponement of a match following the Covid-19 case in the FK
Minsk squad, puts a dampner on things and raise questions on how long the
league will be able to continue. A match in Division 1 this weekend has also
had to be postponed. This is ironic coming at a time when several European
leagues have announced their plans for restarting football in the upcoming
weeks.
Despite only eight matches of the season having been played, there are
questions being asked as to whether or not Jasurbek Yakshiboev, the league's
joint top scorer, is over-rated. Let's see how he fairs against Dinamo Brest on
Saturday !
As usual, all matches are being streamed live on the Belarus Football Federation's YouTube Channel.
As usual, all matches are being streamed live on the Belarus Football Federation's YouTube Channel.
Torpedo BelAZ Zhodino vs FK Gorodeya ( Friday at
16.00 UK time )
Third placed Torpedo are unbeaten at home and are yet to concede.
Neither they or Gorodeya score many goals though, and Gorodeya are the lowest
scoring team in the Division, but if Ramos is on form Torpedo should create
enough chances. Expect Torpedo to edge a low scoring game. 1-0
Result : 3-1. Torpedo have to make do without keeper Bushma who is a suspected virus victim but record a comfortable victory. Unusually, the decisions go against Gorodeya, who receive a harsh first half second yellow and red card. Good build up play by Torpedo leaves Veloso with two tap-ins and Katchaturyan rounds of a man of the match display for the third. Sajcic misses as penalty for Gorodeya but scores from the rebound.
Energetik BGU Minsk vs Dinamo Brest ( Saturday at 13.00 UK time )
Fourth versus sixth and two sides looking like they are getting back to
some form. The league’s joint top scorer Yakshiboev is creating and missing
chances for Energetik, who will be more comfortable on the counter attack. Should
be a good game. 1-1 ?
Result : 2-1. A vibrant display by Energetik with Evgeni Yudchits impressing with a goal and an assist. Dinamo are second best by some distance and score their consolation with literally the last kick of the game, the referee not even allowing time for the restart.
Result : 2-1. A vibrant display by Energetik with Evgeni Yudchits impressing with a goal and an assist. Dinamo are second best by some distance and score their consolation with literally the last kick of the game, the referee not even allowing time for the restart.
Shakhtyor Soligorsk vs FK Slavia Mozyr ( Saturday
at 15.00 UK time )
Two entertaining, but inconsistent sides should produce an exciting
match. Shakhtyor to close the gap on the leaders. 2-1
Result : 2-0. Shakhtyor dominate against a lacklustre Slavia. Lisakovich's cross cum shot deceives the Slavia keeper at the near post, and after Slavia's Malkevich receives a very harsh second yellow, Balanovich strike near the end wraps up the win for Shakhtyor.
BATE Borisov vs FK Slutsk ( Saturday at 17.00 UK
time )
A battle between the top two. However, BATE should have enough class to
see off a battling Slutsk side. 2-0
Result : 3-0. BATE are irrepressible as they put the upstarts from Slutsk in their place. After 25 minutes BATE have raced into a two goal lead and have two other attempts disallowed for offside as they cut apart the Slutsk defence at will. Slutsk manage to hold the tide but another flowing move completes the scoring with 20 minutes left.
Belshina Bobruisk vs FK Vitebsk ( Sunday at 13.00
UK time )
Winless Belshina need to start winning soon, but will find Vitebsk
difficult to breakdown. 0-0
Result : 1-1. Belshina's supporters were probably signing the Belarusian equivalent of "Staying Up, Staying Up" after Glebko's penalty gave them the lead with just over 25 minutes to play. Unfortunately for them, Turanok's fumble presented Julio Cesar with a tap-in for the equaliser.
Dinamo Minsk vs FK Isloch Minsk ( Sunday at
15.00 UK time )
Dinamo have started to look better but without earning the points their
performances have deserved. Isloch are yet to pick up a point away from home.
Expect Dinamo to start moving up the table. 3-0
Result : 1-0. Dinamo squandered several chances against an Isloch side missing Stephen Godfrey ( does he or doesn't he have the virus ?? ). Bakhar eventually broke the deadlock for Dinamo with 30 minutes to play. Isloch were unable to save the match after Dinamo's Olekhnovich was sent-off with just over 15 minutes remaining.
Rukh Brest vs FK Smolevichy vs ( Sunday at 17.00 UK
time )
Two of the newly promoted sides, of whom Rukh are performing much
better, However, Smolevichy’s performance against BATE last weekend was
impressive, and they have lost only one of three away matches. 1-1
Result : 0-0. After both sides unexpected goal frenzies last week, normal service was resume in a dull match where neither side came close to scoring. Smolevichy will probably be the more happier with a point.
FK Minsk vs Neman Grodno
This match was postponed as an FK Minsk player had suspected Covid-19
symptoms so the FK Minsk squad and officials are self-isolating for 14 days.
Summary :
Torpedo BelAZ Zhodino 3-1 FK Gorodeya ( att : 264 )
Energetik BGU Minsk 2-1