July 10, 11 & 12 2020
With only 4 points seperating the top 6 in the Belarus Premier League the situation at the top is unlikely to become much clearer this week as none of these sides play each other. However, given the unpredictable nature of the division this season their matches are not foregone conclusions and some slip-ups are likely. BATE will be looking to end their poor home run whilst Neman will find Vitebsk difficult to breakdown. With the transfer window open, it will be interesting to see what signings have been made ( and what side Shakhtyor select ), whilst on the other hand, fans of Smolevichy will probably just be glad to see their side playing.
Dinamo Brest’s home match against Slutsk has been
postponed due to an outbreak of Covid-19 amongst Dinamo’s players and staff. The re-arranged date is August 12th.
FK Smolevichy STI
vs FK Isloch Minsk ( Friday at 16.30 UK time )
Despite the recent upturn in results, Smolevichy
are a club in turmoil. After rumours they were about to quit the league due to
financial problems, instead the coach and six players left the club, with
the assistant coach taking over and Dinamo Minsk 4 reserve players being
drafted in on loan. Isloch to take
advantage. 0-2
Result : 3-1. Perhaps Smolevichy have discovered the receipe to survive relegation. Release your most talented and experienced players, let the coach go and sign a host of untested teenagers on loan from bigger clubs ! Well it worked here. Initially it looked like Isloch would overwhelm the newbies but the visitors fell apart once 18 year old Vladislav Lozhkin had given the hosts the lead with a cool finish. Lozhkin looked a remarkable find and a fine solo effort gave Smolevichy a 2-0 lead at half-time. Alexsandr Dzhigero, one of the few players remaining from last week's line-up, added a third, and Makas' injury time free-kick was more than Isloch deserved from their wretched performance.
Result : 3-1. Perhaps Smolevichy have discovered the receipe to survive relegation. Release your most talented and experienced players, let the coach go and sign a host of untested teenagers on loan from bigger clubs ! Well it worked here. Initially it looked like Isloch would overwhelm the newbies but the visitors fell apart once 18 year old Vladislav Lozhkin had given the hosts the lead with a cool finish. Lozhkin looked a remarkable find and a fine solo effort gave Smolevichy a 2-0 lead at half-time. Alexsandr Dzhigero, one of the few players remaining from last week's line-up, added a third, and Makas' injury time free-kick was more than Isloch deserved from their wretched performance.
Belshina Bobruisk vs Torpedo BelAZ Zhodino ( Saturday
at 14.30 UK time )
Away banker of the week. Last week’s 1-4 scoreline was harsh on Torpedo
and they should be far too good for the league’s bottom side. 0-2
Result : 2-1. A shock win for Belshina over a Torpedo side who at times appeared disinterested and were embarassingly bad. Torpedo actually took an early lead when Veloso's freekick hit Kaplenko and deflected into the net. Almost immediately Kovel was left free to equalise from inside the 6 yard box. The winner came from the penalty spot in the 50th minute, with Kovel's terrible dive fooling the referee and Glebko converted. The referee made amends by awarding a penalty to Torpedo, but their performance was summed up by Ramos, who steered his kick well over the bar, and then chipped an injury time free-kick in a dangerous position softly over the wall straight to the keeper.
Result : 2-1. A shock win for Belshina over a Torpedo side who at times appeared disinterested and were embarassingly bad. Torpedo actually took an early lead when Veloso's freekick hit Kaplenko and deflected into the net. Almost immediately Kovel was left free to equalise from inside the 6 yard box. The winner came from the penalty spot in the 50th minute, with Kovel's terrible dive fooling the referee and Glebko converted. The referee made amends by awarding a penalty to Torpedo, but their performance was summed up by Ramos, who steered his kick well over the bar, and then chipped an injury time free-kick in a dangerous position softly over the wall straight to the keeper.
BATE Borisov vs FK Slavia Mozyr ( Saturday at 16.30
UK time )
Slavia will be hoping to return to dry land this
week whilst BATE hope to avoid an unprecedented fourth consecutive home match
without a win and avenge their early season loss at Slavia. BATE to repeat
their cup win. 2-0
Result : 1-1. Yet again BATE failed to win at home with many patterns being repeated. They missed a lot of chances and found Baronovski in the Slavia goal in fine form. Slavia ould even have been infront at half-time, with Barsukov's shot hitting the bar, and Melnikov heading the rebound wide when it looked easier to score. Slavia's back three coped well with the inevitable second half aerial onslaught but they were fortunate when Skavysh was left free at the far post but steered his header against the post. BATE eventually took the lead in fortuitous circumstances, Yablonski's low shot hit the post but rebounded into the net off the prone Baronovski. However, two minutes later Shevchenko won a penalty, being sent crashing/fell over the keeper ( delete as appropriate ) and Chukhley made no mistake from the spot and Slavia held onto to take a point.
Result : 1-1. Yet again BATE failed to win at home with many patterns being repeated. They missed a lot of chances and found Baronovski in the Slavia goal in fine form. Slavia ould even have been infront at half-time, with Barsukov's shot hitting the bar, and Melnikov heading the rebound wide when it looked easier to score. Slavia's back three coped well with the inevitable second half aerial onslaught but they were fortunate when Skavysh was left free at the far post but steered his header against the post. BATE eventually took the lead in fortuitous circumstances, Yablonski's low shot hit the post but rebounded into the net off the prone Baronovski. However, two minutes later Shevchenko won a penalty, being sent crashing/fell over the keeper ( delete as appropriate ) and Chukhley made no mistake from the spot and Slavia held onto to take a point.
Shakhtyor Soligorsk vs FK Gorodeya ( Saturday at 18.30
UK time )
Shakhtyor seem to have been busy in the transfer
market this week, with Yakshiboev reportedly signing from Energetik to replace
Lisakovich going to the Russian Premier League. However, whoever takes to the field for them should be too strong for
struggling Gorodeya. 3-0
Result : 4-1. Shakhtyor were totally dominant in the first half, leading 3-0 at half-time and it looked like a cricket score could be on the cards. However, Gorodeya pull a goal back through Arkhipov's smart header ( his brother scored for Shakhtyor so their mum was probably happy ), and they missed a couple of half chances. Lisakovich started for Shakhtyor and Yakshiboev made his debut for them as a substitute, and he scored the final goal of the match, drilling home from the edge of the area with 8 minutes to go.
Result : 4-1. Shakhtyor were totally dominant in the first half, leading 3-0 at half-time and it looked like a cricket score could be on the cards. However, Gorodeya pull a goal back through Arkhipov's smart header ( his brother scored for Shakhtyor so their mum was probably happy ), and they missed a couple of half chances. Lisakovich started for Shakhtyor and Yakshiboev made his debut for them as a substitute, and he scored the final goal of the match, drilling home from the edge of the area with 8 minutes to go.
Energetik BGU Minsk vs Rukh Brest ( Sunday at 14.30
UK time )
Energetik managed to overcome BATE last week
without the Yak so might not miss him too much but Rukh have only lost 4 times
all season and only once away. Energetik rarely draw though. 2-1
Result : 1-8. well, at least Energetik didn't draw ! It's hard to say what happened in this match, apart from Rukh were ruthless, Energetik were shambolic and Rukh could have won by a bigger margin. Both sides lost key players in the transfer window but Rukh appear to have coped better. It is hard to think that only last week Energetik won at BATE, keeping a clean sheet after playing most of the match with only 10 men. Here, defending seemed to be an alien concept. For the record Kontsevoj notched a hat-trick, with 5 other players on the scoresheet for Rukh
Result : 1-8. well, at least Energetik didn't draw ! It's hard to say what happened in this match, apart from Rukh were ruthless, Energetik were shambolic and Rukh could have won by a bigger margin. Both sides lost key players in the transfer window but Rukh appear to have coped better. It is hard to think that only last week Energetik won at BATE, keeping a clean sheet after playing most of the match with only 10 men. Here, defending seemed to be an alien concept. For the record Kontsevoj notched a hat-trick, with 5 other players on the scoresheet for Rukh
Dinamo Minsk vs FK Minsk ( Sunday at 16.30 UK time )
Dinamo will be looking to gain revenge for their
loss in the Minsk derby in April. Both sides have been inconsistent recently,
but Dinamo should have the edge. 1-0
Result : 1-0. Bakhar's stunning curling 25 yard effort was enough to settle the Minsk derby although it was out of context of just about everything else in a poor game. Gorbach should have equalised for FK Minsk midway through the second half, but shot weakly at the keeper after dispossessing the dozing Dinamo defender.
Result : 1-0. Bakhar's stunning curling 25 yard effort was enough to settle the Minsk derby although it was out of context of just about everything else in a poor game. Gorbach should have equalised for FK Minsk midway through the second half, but shot weakly at the keeper after dispossessing the dozing Dinamo defender.
FK Vitebsk vs Neman Grodno ( Sunday at 18.30 UK
time )
Neman will face a tough challenge
as they seek an 8th consecutive win, with Vitebsk having lost only
once at home all season. However, Vitebsk are not prolific scorers, and Neman
have only conceded twice in their run of 7 wins. 0-0
Result : 0-0. Neman's winning streak came to an end, but they are probably happy with a hard earned point from a game high on endeavour but short on chances.Summary :