Conclusion to Belarus Women’s Premier League 2020

November 19, 2020

Continuing on from the review in these diaries after 19 rounds of fixtures in the Belarus WPL, where Dinamo BGU were already champions and FK Minsk runners-up, the only places still undecided were third and fourth. Neman Grodno were occupying third place five points ahead of Zorka BGU, but with fixtures against Dinamo and Minsk left to play, Zorka could overtake them with wins over Dnepr Mogilev and Bobruichanka. As expected Zorka chalked up straightforward wins ( 5-0 and 4-2 respectively ).

Neman went onto the field at the FK Minsk stadium knowing they had previously played three very close matches against the runners-up but had lost 0-1 each time, and perhaps their luck would change. Minsk dominated the match but the Neman rearguard defended stubbornly so that no clear-cut chances were created, and Neman custodian Ekaterina Ulasevich gave an assured performance, catching everything thrown into the penalty area. The best chances actually fell to Neman, a clearance from Minsk keeper Voskobovich was blocked by Juliet Nana but unfortunately for Neman trickled inches wide of the post.

Voskobovich was also called upon to make a fine double save from Dudko and Sergeychik. With 8 minutes left, Dudko’s shot was cleared off the line by Nyolle with the keeper beaten. As the clock ticked down, Neman looked visibly weary and several defensive mistakes occurred, but Minsk were unable to capitalise and Ulasevich's two confident catches calmed the nerves as Neman captured a valuable point.

 With the head-to head records between Neman and Zorka being equal, Neman’s superior goal difference meant they would finish third unless there was a 19 goal swing. Neman’s final match against Dinamo BGU was played in an indoor area similar to one in Mogilev and any worries Neman might have had about being on the receiving end of a hammering from the champions were allayed in the 6^th minute when the dangerous Salimata Simpore saw a red card for a high challenge which saw the Neman defender receiving a kick to the head. 7 minutes later Dudko bundled the ball over the line from close range to give Neman the lead. Neman dominated the opening 30 minutes against a lack-lustre Dinamo and wasted a string of chances. However, Dinamo slowly got back into the match and Ulasevich made a fine diving save to keep out Shuppo’s header.

Ulasevich was beaten just before halftime, Anna Pilipenko, voted Dinamo’s player of the season, thumped a 18 yarder into the roof of the net.  Both sides missed good chances in the second half, and the 1-1 final result meant Dinamo dropped points for the first time in the season, and Neman finished third.

The other point of interest from the last two weeks was that Viktoria Marchyk scored BOTSOR’s third goal of the season ( and her second ) against ABFF U19, but unfortunately they conceded 9 at the other end of the pitch !

In the 2020/21 UEFA Women’s Champions League first qualifying round FK Minsk strolled to a 3-0 home against Latvian Champions Rigas Futbola skola, although it took a deflected free kick and two penalties to beat Riga’s outstanding 19 year old goal-keeper, Sofija Nesterova, who even saved one of the penalties but was adjudged to have come off her line too early so the kick was retaken.

In the second qualifying round Minsk travelled KS Vllaznia of Albania and took a first half lead through Anna Sas. 

However, Dinamo were left to play the last 33 minutes with a player less after Sas collected a second yellow card, but Anita Kharlonova settled the tie with Dinamo’s second goal in the 82^nd minute. Interestingly, the highlights on the regional Albanian TV channel omitted to show either goal !

The draw for the round of 32 will be made on November 24, with the two-legged matches scheduled for December 8^th or 9th and 15^th or 16th. Dinamo will be unseeded in the draw so could face one of the giants of Europe such as Lyon, Wolfsburg, Barcelona, PSG, or even Manchester City or Chelsea.