July 31, August 1 & 2, 2020
There’s a proverbial 6 pointer
this week-end as both Smolevichy and Belshina will be eyeing three points to
keep their hopes of avoiding relegation alive.
At the top BATE and Neman face
tough matches against sides battling for the final Europa League slot, whilst
Shakhtyor will fancy their chances against struggling Slutsk. Eyes will also be on Dinamo and
Energetik to see if they can rediscover their form whilst there could be a few
goals in the matches at Slavia and FK Minsk.
FK Slutsk vs Shakhtyor Soligorsk ( Friday at 16.30
UK time )
Slutsk won early in the season at Shakhtyor but
their form has tailed off dramatically since that high spot. Shakhtyor have
scored 4 in three of their last 4 matches and should get revenge. 0-3
Result : 0-2. Shakhtyor were poor but didn't need to be any better against a dreadful Slutsk side. After 25 minutes Arkhipov converted a penalty he had won but shortly after went off injured. Antic's stunning free-kick on 62 minutes was out of context with most of the match. Slutsk clearly missed Yuri Kozlov and are now in acute danger of relegation if this form continues.
Result : 0-2. Shakhtyor were poor but didn't need to be any better against a dreadful Slutsk side. After 25 minutes Arkhipov converted a penalty he had won but shortly after went off injured. Antic's stunning free-kick on 62 minutes was out of context with most of the match. Slutsk clearly missed Yuri Kozlov and are now in acute danger of relegation if this form continues.
Dinamo Brest vs FK Vitebsk ( Friday at 18.30 UK
time )
Vitebsk have been quietly going about their
business to move upto 6th. On paper Dinamo are a better side but who
knows what impact the virus has had on them. 1-1 ?
Result : 1-0. Dinamo just about deserved victory after a battling performance. Gordeychuk's long range effort 17 minutes may have taken a deflection as Soroko was routed to the spot. Vitebsk responded with two efforts against the woodwork but Dinamo also hit the bar as they went in 1-0 up at half-time. Although Dinamo tired in the second half, they held on fairly comfortably, inspired in part by the the terrific support from the home crowd.
Result : 1-0. Dinamo just about deserved victory after a battling performance. Gordeychuk's long range effort 17 minutes may have taken a deflection as Soroko was routed to the spot. Vitebsk responded with two efforts against the woodwork but Dinamo also hit the bar as they went in 1-0 up at half-time. Although Dinamo tired in the second half, they held on fairly comfortably, inspired in part by the the terrific support from the home crowd.
FK Smolevichy STI vs Belshina Bobruisk ( Saturday
at 14.30 UK time )
A huge match at the bottom of the table. If
Belshina don’t win then they can forget about Premier League football next
season. 1-1
Result : 0-3. After being written off for several weeks, Belshina kept their hopes alive with this critical victory. Levitskiy gave then the lead in the first minute with flicked header at the near post from a corner, after which Smolevichy dominated the rest of the half but frittered away a number of good chances. The second half began in almost identical fashion to the first, although it was Kovel with the header. Smolevichy were deflated after this and Belshina added a third when Smolevichy's keeper totally misjudged Lebedev's curling free-kick. Belshina now face another huge match on Thursday at home to Slutsk.
Result : 0-3. After being written off for several weeks, Belshina kept their hopes alive with this critical victory. Levitskiy gave then the lead in the first minute with flicked header at the near post from a corner, after which Smolevichy dominated the rest of the half but frittered away a number of good chances. The second half began in almost identical fashion to the first, although it was Kovel with the header. Smolevichy were deflated after this and Belshina added a third when Smolevichy's keeper totally misjudged Lebedev's curling free-kick. Belshina now face another huge match on Thursday at home to Slutsk.
FK Slavia Mozyr vs FK Isloch Minsk ( Saturday at 16.30
UK time )
Likely to be an entertaining match between two
mid-table sides. 2-1
Result : 2-4. An open and at times totally bonkers match which could easily have had a lot more goals. Makas took advantage of non-existant defending to give Isloch a 2-0 lead although Tetteh pulled one back for Slavia on the stroke of half-time. When Vlad Malkevich's long range shot was deflected past the stranded Isloch keeper to give Slavia parity it looked like the hosts would go onto win. However, their defence continued to impersonate the training ground cones, and Yanush's brace gave Isloch the win.
Result : 2-4. An open and at times totally bonkers match which could easily have had a lot more goals. Makas took advantage of non-existant defending to give Isloch a 2-0 lead although Tetteh pulled one back for Slavia on the stroke of half-time. When Vlad Malkevich's long range shot was deflected past the stranded Isloch keeper to give Slavia parity it looked like the hosts would go onto win. However, their defence continued to impersonate the training ground cones, and Yanush's brace gave Isloch the win.
Neman Grodno vs Dinamo Minsk ( Saturday at 18.30 UK
time )
Likely to be a match for the purists. Neman have gone
7 matches without conceding a goal, but have only scored 4 in their last 6
games. There have been only 6 goals in Dinamo’s last 7 matches. 0-0
Result : 1-0. In a predictably tight match with few chances, Stojkovic's flicked header early in the second half was enough the give Neman a vital win and demonstrate they are serious title challenges. Dinamo conceed just their second goal in 9 games but have only scored 2 in their last 5, and never looked likey to score here. Neman extended their run to 11 unbeaten and no goals against for 8 matches.
Result : 1-0. In a predictably tight match with few chances, Stojkovic's flicked header early in the second half was enough the give Neman a vital win and demonstrate they are serious title challenges. Dinamo conceed just their second goal in 9 games but have only scored 2 in their last 5, and never looked likey to score here. Neman extended their run to 11 unbeaten and no goals against for 8 matches.
Torpedo BelAZ Zhodino vs BATE Borisov ( Sunday at
14.00 UK time )
An interesting test for BATE who have been impressive
on the counter but struggle to breakdown solid, compact defensive sides. Torpedo drew
0-0 in Borisov earlier in the season and are likely to approach the home match
in a similar manner. 0-0
Result : 3-2. A tremendous match ! BATE looked impressive as they stormed into a two goal lead after 35 minutes, as Torpedo struggled to cope with the visitors pace and movement off the ball. Skavysh and Stasevich were the scorers but on the stroke of half-time Khachaturyan pulled one back with a superb 25 yard effort. BATE started the second half strongly but the game turned when BATE keeper Scherbitski failed to keep out Ramos' weak shot for the equaliser. However, the keeper was powerless to stop Antilevski's flying header less than two minutes later. Torpedo held on for victory and raised more questions on BATE's frailties.
Result : 3-2. A tremendous match ! BATE looked impressive as they stormed into a two goal lead after 35 minutes, as Torpedo struggled to cope with the visitors pace and movement off the ball. Skavysh and Stasevich were the scorers but on the stroke of half-time Khachaturyan pulled one back with a superb 25 yard effort. BATE started the second half strongly but the game turned when BATE keeper Scherbitski failed to keep out Ramos' weak shot for the equaliser. However, the keeper was powerless to stop Antilevski's flying header less than two minutes later. Torpedo held on for victory and raised more questions on BATE's frailties.
FK Minsk vs Rukh Brest ( Sunday at 16.00 UK time )
Only Belshina have conceded more goals this season
and Rukh are now playing a more expansive game so goals are likely. Rukh have
lost only once away this season and only BATE have scored more away goals. 1-3
Result : 0-1. A poor game settled by a suitably comedy goal. After Grichikho's header bounced off both posts he was quickest to react to prod the ball over the line as the Minsk defenders dithered. Rukh probably deserved the three points as they were marginally less worse......
Result : 0-1. A poor game settled by a suitably comedy goal. After Grichikho's header bounced off both posts he was quickest to react to prod the ball over the line as the Minsk defenders dithered. Rukh probably deserved the three points as they were marginally less worse......
FK Gorodeya vs Energetik BGU Minsk ( Sunday at
18.00 UK time )
Energetik have winning runs then losing runs. After losing
three on the trot they are due for a win. However, confidence looks shot and
the coach doesn’t seem to know his best line-up or formation. Gorodeya know
their game plan. 1-0
Result : 1-1. Energetik stopped the rot and probably deserved all three points but Gorodeya keeper Igor Dovgyallo was typically, er....solid and the tubby shot stopper demonstrated yet again he is one of the best in the Belarus Premier League. On the other hand, Energetik keeper Lesko was at fault for Gorodeya's goal with a feeble attempt to parry Kozel's cross and the ball looked to have already crossed the line before Senkevich got a faint touch but the recent signing from Lida was credited with the goal. Lesko partially redeemed himself when Ignatenko's header crashed against the bar, rebounded off the keeper who was alert enough to turn and paw the ball away as it trickled towards the net. Dovgyallo could do nothing about Energetik's equalizer, any one of 4 Energetik players could have scored from 6 yards out and it was Sovpel who gleefully lashed home.
Result : 1-1. Energetik stopped the rot and probably deserved all three points but Gorodeya keeper Igor Dovgyallo was typically, er....solid and the tubby shot stopper demonstrated yet again he is one of the best in the Belarus Premier League. On the other hand, Energetik keeper Lesko was at fault for Gorodeya's goal with a feeble attempt to parry Kozel's cross and the ball looked to have already crossed the line before Senkevich got a faint touch but the recent signing from Lida was credited with the goal. Lesko partially redeemed himself when Ignatenko's header crashed against the bar, rebounded off the keeper who was alert enough to turn and paw the ball away as it trickled towards the net. Dovgyallo could do nothing about Energetik's equalizer, any one of 4 Energetik players could have scored from 6 yards out and it was Sovpel who gleefully lashed home.
Summary :