March 6 & 7, 2021
Belarus football is back !
After what seems to have been a very lengthy pre-season with endless rounds of friendly matches played in a mixture of weather conditions ranging from snow covered pitches to the heat of the UAE, the season began with Tuesday’s Super Cup match between BATE Borisov and Shakhtyor Soligorsk. Played at the FK Minsk stadium in front of a crowd of 1,500 spectactors, attendance was restricted to 50% of the stadium capacity. After a tight game in which both sides missed good chances, Shakhtyor keeper Alexsandr Gutor was the hero in the penalty shoot-out after a 0-0 draw, first making a save at 4-4 before stepping up to score the winning penalty.
The season now moves on to the first legs of the Cup quarter finals. The Belarus Cup is unusual in that it takes place over two seasons, with the early rounds having been played in 2020, and the last 8 sides battling for glory in the early part of the 2021 season. The winners will participate in the 2021/22 Europa Conference League.
With most sides having undergone huge changes to their squads over the winter close season, these cup-ties could give a good indicator as to how the teams might fare in the coming season, but perhaps could also lead to some surprise results as all the new signing bed-in and get to know how to play with each other.
The second legs are scheduled to be played in early April, midweek between rounds 4 and 5 of the Belarus Premier League.
FK Minsk vs FK Isloch Minsk ( Saturday at 11.30 UK time )
When these sides last met, Minsk won a thrilling match 4-3 with the winning goal coming in added on time. If the cup match is as half as good we will still have a game worth watching. However, both sides are likely to have very few of the players from last November on the pitch here, given the scale of departures and arrivals at both clubs.
Perhaps the biggest loss for Isloch is the departure of coach Vitaly Zhukovsky to take over the reins at BATE, with Artem Radkov moving the other way from assistant at BATE to the No 1 role at Isloch.
International Keeper Igor Khatkevich moving to Dinamo Minsk is another huge loss for Isloch, but they moved to sign the veteran Boris Pankratov from Slutsk to mitigate the damage. Alexsandr Makas has moved to Lithuanian side FK Suduva and Geoffrey Stephen went to Polish Ekstraklasa side Jagiellonia Bialystok. However, Isloch have signed the talented teenager Ruslan Lisakovich, who stood out for Krumkachy at both full back and midfield, Alexander Anufriev has moved from FK Minsk, and Artem Gurenko has joined from Vitebsk. Defensive midfielder Maksim Ermakov is a bit of an unknown quantity, returning after unproductive spells in Russia. The form of midfield enforcer Dmitry Kamarovsky will probably be key again for a successful season for Isloch.
It’s hard to know what to make of the changes at FK Minsk with a number of departures announced early in the close season, including Roman Gribovskiy to Neman. However, new signings have been appearing in the recent weeks, including Sulley Muniru, ex Cluj and FCSB, and brother of Ghanaian star Sulley Muntari, and Nigerian Saviour Nwafor from Rukh. Keeper Sergey Ignatovich was part of the exodus from Dinamo Brest but unusually signed for Minsk rather than Rukh ! Anton Schramchenko remains the key play for FK Minsk.
Prediction : 2-2
Result : 1-1
FK Minsk started brightly and Isloch’s defending looked insecure against the early pressure. After Zinovich headed over Aliseiko’s inviting cross from a good position, it wasn’t too much of a surprise when Minsk took the lead in the 17th minute. A short corner routine saw Evdokimov cross long beyond the far post where Chagovets was left in acres of space to head back across the goal to fellow unmarked centre-back Kontsevoi, who had a simple volley from a couple of yards out as the Isloch defence stood and watched.
Isloch responded and it was Minsk’s turn to show their defensive weaknesses. Morozov’s long range shot was straight at keeper Ignatovich who poorly pushed straight out to the danger area. Fortunately for Minsk the ball fell for Aliseiko to make a no-nonsense clearance. Gurenko then delivered a teasing cross beyond the far post where Myakish headed wide of Ignatovich, whose half save was cleared off the line by Kontsevoi.
Isloch should have equalised in the 32nd minute when Kozyrenko’s cross found Yusov free inside the six yard box, but his header was too close to the Minsk keeper, who was able to claw away.
Isloch had to wait until 4 minutes into the second half for the equaliser. Kozyrenko’s cross from the right was glanced by Morozov from close to the penalty spot. The ball appeared to be heading straight to Ignatovich, but it struck Chagovets, who couldn’t get out of the way, and the ball deflected into the opposite corner leaving the keeper rooted to the spot.
Isloch should have scored again in the 63rd minute when another cross from Ukrainian Kozyrenko, this time a left footed outswinger from close to the by-line found the unmarked Yusov on the 6 yard line. Unfortunately for Isloch his contact was poor and the header nearly hit the corner flag.
Muniru had an impressive debut for Minsk, looking creative on the ball. However, with 6 minutes to go he was robbed on the half-way line by Komarovsky, enabling the balding midfielder to surge towards the Minsk’s goal. However, his low shot from outside the area was saved by the diving Ignatovich at his right hand post.
Minsk faced a nervy last 5 minutes when they were reduced to 10 men after Kontsevoi was shown a second yellow card after substitute Kovalev crashed to the fall attempting to run past the Minsk defender. However, the replays showed this was an extremely harsh decision, as it appeared that what little contact there was came from Kovalev putting his arm out on his way down in order touch the static centre-back who was making no effort to stop him.
Isloch were unable to take advantage of the extra man though, but overall a draw was a fair result in an open and entertaining game. Isloch improved as the game progressed and so will probably be favourites for the second leg. Both sides will have to put in some extra work to improve their defending though !
FK Minsk : Ignatovich – Aliseiko, Kontsevoi, Chagovets, Ostroukh – Evdokimov ( Bogomolskiy ), Zinovich, Muniru, Yarotskiy ( Kasarab ) – Shramchenko ( Yakusevich ), Agwata ( Lopez )
FK Isloch Minsk : Pankratov - Myakish, Zinovich, Shalashnikov, Shanbiev – Gurenko ( Kovel ), Ermakov ( Komarovsky ), R.Lisakovich, Kozyrenko – Morozov ( Kovalev ), Yusov
Attendance : 200
Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edBVaJw7eCE
Torpedo BelAZ Zhodino vs Arsenal Dzerzhinsk ( Saturday at 13.30 UK time )
Arsenal are the only lower league side remaining in the competition, and got to this stage with convincing victories over Premier League strugglers Smolevichy ( 4-1 aet at home ) and Gorodeya ( 3-0 away ). Last season they finished 4th in the second level Pershaya Liga, and were offered promotion following all the political shenanigans to prevent NFK Krumkachy being promoted after the demise of Gorodeya, but they declined the invitation.
Formed only in 2019, the club were promoted to the Pershaya liga at the first attempt. Although reported to be ambitious, well-run and financially stable, they apparently felt playing at the highest level of football was too early in their development and they would benefit from another season in the Second Division. However, they are expected to be a strong contender for promotion, along with Krumkachy, Dnepr Mogilev and Lok Gomel.
It is always dangerous to read to much into pre-season friendlies, but although they beat Isloch and Krumkachy, they were well beaten in their last two games against FK Minsk and FK Gomel. They also lost a friendly to Torpedo in early February 0-1.
Keeper Evgeni Abramovich has moved to Torpedo, but they seem to have kept most of the squad from last season. Winger Artem Kiyko was their top scorer last season, whilst ex-Slavia Mozyr midfielder Valeriy Senko was on target in both of the Cup upset victories.
Torpedo’s outstanding season surprised many observers as they took third place in the Premier League, and they reached the quarter final stage of the Cup with straightforward away wins over Pershaya liga opposition, Oshmyany ( 5-0 ) and Sputnik ( 4-1 ). They have also been unbeaten in pre-season, which has included fixtures against top flight opposition from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Torpedo have been weakened by the loss of the outstanding Brazilian Gabriel Ramos to Latvian side Riga FC, and fellow Brazilian Lipe Veloso is expected to join him in Latvia. Torpedo have been able to convert the loan of Belarus international Maksim Bordachev, who was in many people's team of the season, to a permanent signing, as somehow he has been deemed surplus to requirements at Shakhtyor. With experienced defender Igor Burko also signing from Shakhtyor, and left-back/midfielder Samuel Odeyobo coming in from Belshina after impressing in a struggling side, Torpedo are likely to have one of the best defensive records this season, although scoring goals may be more of an issue.
In the absence of the Brazilians, greater responsibility will fall to Dmitri Antilevski and Yuriy Gabovda to be the goal threats, although new signings Matheus Monteiro, a 21 year old Brazilian, Pavel Klenyo ( 10 goals for Lok Gomel in 2020 ), and young winger Kirill Kirilenko returning to Belarus after spells in Ukraine can be expected to get some opportunities to stake a claim for a regular starting place.
The match is being played on the artificial pitch at the Torpedo stadium complex, with free entrance.
Prediction : Torpedo to win 2-0
Result : Torpodo 3-0 Arsenal
Ultimately a routine win for Torpedo against lower league opposition, which should make the second leg a formality. Initially it looked as if Arsenal would be overwhelmed as Torpedo laid siege to the Arsenal goal, forcing keeper Golovenko in to making several saves in the first 10 minutes.
Spurred on by their noisy band of supporters wielding drums, horns and an accordion, Arsenal gradual got into the match, and whilst creating nothing of note themselves, safely got to half-time with the game scoreless.
With the game being played on the artificial surface at Torpedo’s practice ground, and free entry to spectators, some parts of the crowd were extremely close to the touchline !
Torpedo looked more dangerous at the start of the second half, and while they appealed in vain for a penalty when Ustinov crashed to ground, Nikolaevich sent a rising shot narrowly over the bar. Arsenal’s obstinate resistance was finally broken in the 62nd minute, Bordachev stole in at the back post to turn Khachaturyan’s free-kick back across the goal for substitute Kirilenko to shoot left footed into the roof of the net from 10 yards. Keeper Golovenko had no chance.
Torpedo’s lead doubled ten minutes later. After Golovenko dropped a cross under pressure, the ball was worked back to Nikolaevich in the centre of the penalty area. His first effort was well blocked on the line by Khvalko, but Nikolaevich swooped to knock home the rebound.
Arsenal attempted to take the game to Torpedo but were only able to send a couple of efforts harmlessly high and wide. With the clock in the red zone, Torpedo scored again. Substitute Odeyobo, playing upfront after a season in defence for Belshina, met Burko’s curling cross with a diving header from 6 yards to leave Golovenko helpless and seal the victory.
Torpedo Zhodino : Bushma – Burko, Aussi, Bordachev, Ustinov – Afanasjev ( Odeyobo ), Khachaturyan, Premudrov ( Kukharchyk ), Nikolaevich ( Pavlyukovets ), A. Antilevski ( Kirilenko ) – D.Antilevski,
Arsenal Dzerzhinsk : Golovenko – Kaplunov, Khvalko, Skshynetskiy, Guletski ( Matyash ) – Abramovich ( Karnitskiy ), Lovets, Osipenko, Senko ( Patsko ), Kiyko – Demidchik
Attendance : 350
Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRn3HAfJvqE
BATE Borisov vs FK Vitebsk ( Sunday at 11.30 UK time )
The reports of the demise of BATE maybe grossly exaggerated !
Although the signings of Volkov, Nusko and Umarov were announced before the end of the 2020 season as part of the regeneration of their ageing squad, it looked bleak for BATE when the departures of Stasevich & Filipenko ( both to Shakhtyor ), Nastic ( to Jagiellonia Bialystok ), Baga ( to FK Liepaja in Latvia ) and Markum ( destination unknown ) were announced, and Maksim Skavysh and Stanislav Dragun were rumoured to also be on their way out.
However, Dragun has signed a new contract and Skavysh’s move to a side in Russia appears to have fallen through, and he played as a substitute in the Super Cup. The present of the Premier League’s top scorer from last season should ensure BATE won’t be short of goals this season, as long as any transfer doesn’t resurface !
The return of international striker Anton Saroka after a lengthy absence after his part in the anti-government protests last autumn will also add to their goal scoring prowess.
Goalkeeping could still be a weakness though, with the error prone Chichkan between the sticks in the Super Cup.
Vitebsk were a solid, well organised side last season and difficult to beat. They don’t appear to have been to badly effected by departures from their squad apart from losing Volkov to BATE, but with experienced defenders Andrey Lebedev returning from Kazakhstan and Yanuskevich joining from Isloch, they could be even harder to break-down this season.
The match is being played at the FK Minsk stadium with an entrance fee of 5 Roubles.
Prediction : BATE to win 1-0
Result : BATE Borisov 2-1 FK Vitebsk
BATE made 4 changes from their starting line-up for the Super Cup, with Bessmertniy, Willumsson, Malkevich and Kopitovic coming in for Rybak, Nechaev, Karasev and Saroka. There was still no sign of Dragun.
It was a surprise to see the weather conditions in Minsk, with the pitch covered in snow, and it was still heavily snowing at kick-off. Vitebsk left Brazilian Diego Carioca on the bench, perhaps thinking these weren’t exactly ideal conditions for him !
BATE started brightly and Gushchenko was soon called into action to make a smart save from a flicked header, and Yablonski miscued horribly from close to the penalty spot after being set-up by Milic’s lay back. After 19 minutes Kopitovic turned and shot across the face of the goal, and narrowly wide.
Against the run of play, Vitebsk took the lead in the 24th minute. From a throw-in, Teverov turned his marker and crossed to the middle of the area, where the on-rushing Wanderson was on hand to head into the bottom corner past the despairing dive of Chichkan.
The lead only last 6 minutes though. Bessmertniy found space on the right-hand edge of the penalty area and shot for goal, but Nikolay Signevich, marginally onside, was free on the 6 yard line to stab home, giving Gushchenko no chance.
With both sides trying to play passing football in the difficult conditions, the last chance in the first half fell to Vitebsk, but after some tidy footwork Matveenko’s chip went just over the bar.
BATE changed their approach in the second half, playing much more directly and subjected the Vitebsk defence to an aerial bombardment from corners, crosses and free-kicks. The reward came in the 52nd minute when Alexsandr Filipovic floated a cross from the right for Signevich to meet at the back post. His header was directed downward, and from close range the sprawling Vitebsk keeper was unable to keep the ball out of the net. 2-1 and two goals for the ex Ferencvaros striker.
The rest of the match was one-way traffic but due to a combination of good goal-keeping, desperate defending and poor finishing, BATE were unable to extend their lead. Jakov Filipovic headed a great chance straight at Gushchenko, and when the keeper completely missed a corner, Filipovic only had to make connect with the ball to score, but completely missed it. Signevich missed a couple of chances for his hat-trick, a steered volley was blocked for a corner, and he was denied by another good save from Gushchenko. Kopitovic headed wide when unmarked at a corner, and Gushchenko made a good double save from another corner. Shemruk also cleared an effort off the line.
In the closing minute, it looked like Signevich had a simple tap-in but Lebedev stuck out a leg to make a great clearance.
Vitebsk will be grateful to have escaped with just a one goal deficit to go into the second leg. The score could easily have finished 4-1 or 5-1. Although BATE will be disappointed to have not put the tie to bed and hold only a slender lead, they will take great encouragement from their second half performance.
BATE Borisov : Chichkan – Malkevich ( Volodjko ), Kopitovic, J. Filipovic, A. Filipovic – Bessmertniy ( Volkov ), Yablonski, Willumsson, Nekhaychik ( Umarov ) – Milic ( Skavysh ), Signevich,
FK Vitebsk : Gushchenko – Lebedev, Cesar, Yunushkevich – Kalenchuk, Krasnov, Wanderson ( Yermkovich ), Ksenofontov ( Carioca ), Shemruk – Matveenko ( Fedosov ), Teverov ( Rassadkin )
Attendance : 157
Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkK648VItXQ
Shakhtyor Soligorsk vs Neman Grodno ( Sunday at 13.30 UK time )
Champions Shakhtyor have been busy in the transfer market, with a host of new signings, and some surprising departures through the revolving doors in Soligorsk. Whilst the departures of Yakshiboev and Bodul were expected, Shakhtyor have also let Selyava, Burko, Vukamic and Arkhipov leave the club. In their place Shakhtyor have achieved a bit of a coup to sign Filipenko and the legendary Igor Stasevich from BATE.
Keeper Chernik impressed at Gorodeya at the back-end of last season and will be a strong competitor to Gutor for a starting place, and Zabelin’s arrival from Neman will strengthen their midfield options. Iconic Gleb Shevchenko has also arrived in Soligorsk but minus his trademark dreadlocks !
In addition, there are a clutch of mystery signings where it will be eagerly awaited to see if there are any inspired gems, or any woeful duds, so we will have to wait and see how Gambian Darboe, Nigerian Okehuie, Albanian Ahmedi, Uzbek Ubaydullaev and Ukrainian Debelko will fare……
Neman were live title contenders last season until surprise home defeats to Gorodeya and Slavia saw them even miss out on a Europa Conference place. Their squad looks to have been severely weakened with the departure of the talismanic Kadimyan, and with Poe, Marusic and Zabelin also leaving, all the major goal threats from a low scoring team have gone. Roman Gribovskiy from FK Minsk has big shoes to fill, and Alexsandr Dzhigero, who stood out for relegated Smolevichy, could also get amongst the goals for Neman.
The departure of Daniel Stokjkovic removes a brick from the wall of Grodno but the arrival of Yuri Kozlov from Slutsk could be a masterstroke, as the balding enforcer looked outstanding when Slutsk were playing well at the start of last season, but had less impact when they were struggling. If Neman get off to good start he could be a key figure.
The match is being played in the smaller Shakhtyor stadium in Soligorsk on an artifical pitch and with free attendance, but the crowd is being limited to 1,000 spectators.
Prediction : Shakhtyor to win 1-0
Result : Shakhtyor Soligorsk 3-0 Neman Grodno
These two sides played out two goal-less draws in the league last season and for a long period of this match it looked as if a repeat may be on the cards.
Gambian striker Darboe shot wide after 14 seconds but after this early promise the first half was a cagey affair, with Shakhtyor dominating possession but rarely troubling the Grodno defence. When they did, Neman keeper Dudar made athletic saves to deny Darboe and Kendysh. Neman’s only decent chance was a header over the bar from Zubovich.
The game turned in the 58th minute. A long ball out of defence by Shakhtyor caught the Neman rear-guard napping. Darboe ran clear and when in the act of shooting, Legchilin made a slight contact with the forward’s arm and shoulder, sending him crashing to the ground. Despite the Neman protests a penalty and red card were awarded, and after a long delay Kendysh sent Dudar the wrong way from the spot.
Shakhtyor exploited the extra man advantage well, and probably wrapped up the tie with two further goals. On 77 minutes Kendysh sprayed the ball wide for Begunov to get behind the defence on the right-hand side, and he delivered the perfect low cross to give Darboe a simple tap-in for his first goal for Shakhtyor. Two minutes later a similar move saw Podstrelov break down the right and feed Darboe inside the area. An unselfish ball across goal presented an easy finish for Ubaydullaev, also for his first goal for the club.
Shakhtyor nearly added a 4th goal in injury time, Stasevich’s low cross from the left was met by Podstrelov inside the 6 yard box, but he could only steer the ball just wide of the far post.
Neman worked hard but rarely troubled Shakhtyor. Without the red card they may have kept the margin down to manageable proportions, but it would be an astonishing shock if they were to over-turn a three goal deficit in the return match.
Shakhtyor Soligorsk : Gutor – Ahmedi, Khadarkevich, Sachivko ( Shevchenko ), Antic – Okeuhie ( Podstrelov ), Korzun ( Ubaydullaev ), Kendysh, Begunov, Ivanovic ( Stasevich ) - Darboe
Neman Grodno : Dudar – Legchilin, Yakimov, Kantaria, Vasiljev – Stepanov, Kozlov, Zubovich ( Ivanov ), Yablonski ( Dzhigero ) – Gribovskiy ( Pasevich ), Zhukovski ( Gavrilovich )
Attendance : 800
Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTgDxdS3un8
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