Belarus Premier League - Round Fifteen - 26th, 27th, 28th June 2020

So we have reached the half way point in the Belarus Premier Division and it’s been an exciting first half to the campaign, let’s see how Round Fifteen shaped up:-



Round Fifteen – Friday 26^th June

Energetyk BGU 5 Slavia 0

Hosts Energetyk were going through a barren spell in front of goal, 315 minutes to be precise, coming into this one against Slavia.  And with no wins in four they were certainly looking for some sort of spark to get their season going, whilst visitors Slavia had got back to winning ways lost time out and were looking to build on this and pull themselves further away from those danger places towards the foot of the table.  Well, it took just four minutes for the host to end that goal scoring drought as 319 minutes after their last goal, they opened the scoring when a poor back pass from Shevchenko towards his keeper was intercepted by Yaxshiboev who duly rounded the keeper and then composed himself before firing beyond defender on goal line.  Perfect start for the hosts then. Slavia saw an effort glance of the bar when Narh struck an effort from outside the box, and then in the 27^th minute the hosts were reduced to ten men when Bakic was shown a red card for what was adjudged to be a dangerous challenge inside the box, and it meant Energetyk would have to play more than an hour with a man light. Both teams had openings in the remainder of the first period but Energetyk had that one goal lead but were a man light so would this affect them?  Well, two minutes after the restart the hosts doubled their lead when Yaxshiboev got in after a defensive error and crossed for Tweh to side foot across the keeper and into the net, and then just before the hour mark and after Yaxshiboev had seen an effort saved, he was to add his second and his sides third when after another defensive error the hosts strode forward and the ball was laid to Yaxshiboev who beat a couple of defenders before slotting home, and the ten man were now cruising, so no this didn’t affect them!!!  The ten men continued their dominance in this half by grabbing a fourth twenty minutes from time when Sovpel burst in down the right and fired a brilliant effort across the keeper into the far corner, and in the 90^th minute Energetyk completed the scoring when the brilliant Yaxshiboev claimed another assist when laying in Sovpel to fire across the keeper into the far corner for his second and cap a wonderful afternoon for the home side who ended their poor run in style.  Fourth place for them then and four points off the lead, it’s not looking so bad now, whilst for Slavia that was an alarming collapse against ten men, and they are in eleventh before Sunday’s games and just four points above third bottom Minsk who have two games in hand following a third defeat in four for the Mozyr club.



Smolevichy STI 2 Slutsk 1

The hosts finally returned to their Stadion Ozernyj home for the visit of a very out of form Slutsk side and looking for just their second win of the season to close the gap to third bottom Minsk in the process.  Slutsk alarming form is well documented over recent weeks, and they so badly need a win from somewhere to stop their current slide down the standings, but they saw the hosts begin well but found themselves a goal ahead in the 16^th minute when a ball through to Serdyuk saw him swivel and hit a first time effort into the bottom corner and Slutsk had their lead.  But the hosts were not behind for long and grabbed the goal their early play had deserved in the 19^th minute, and it was a beauty, as Dzhigero curled a wonderful effort in of the bar.  Smolevichy continued to dominate proceedings and struck the bar five minutes before the break and spurned more brilliant chances early in the second period, but in the 57^th minute they finally edged ahead when after the keeper had come to thwart another effort, the ball broke loose to Dzhigero who fired into the net for his and his sides second.  Smolevichy had enough chances to win this one handsomely, but they almost paid the price for not taking these when Slutsk had a couple of decent openings in the final fifteen minutes, the second of those a curling effort which come off the post, as they looked to pinch what would have been an undeserved point.  The home side did hold on though and claim a big three points which takes them three behind third bottom Minsk, who they still have to play twice remember, and five behind Gorodeya in fourth bottom before Sunday’s games, so they must really fancy themselves to get out of this now.  As for Slutsk, well, no wins since Round Seven, that’s eight games now, and only two points from a possible 24!!!  They sat top of the standings after Round Seven, they are now tenth for now, twelve points off leaders BATE and only eight above the drop zone and four above Minsk in the relegation play off spot having played two games more.  It’s very serious for them now…..



Round Fifteen – Saturday 27^th June

Minsk 1 Shakhtyor 1

Hosts Minsk came into this one to try and advert four straight defeats, and knew a win would take them out of the relegation play off zone above Gorodeya ahead of their game on Sunday and closer to the mid table pack above that, whilst Shakhtyor, who were trying to extend their unbeaten run to ten in the league, knew they could put pressure on leaders BATE ahead of their Saturday evening game against Dinamo Minsk by closing the gap to just one point with a win here. A goalless first forty five saw the hosts keeper being kept busy by many visiting attack, and although Minsk forced a decent save from the visitors keeper early in the second period, Shakhtyor found themselves ahead ten minutes into the second period after a free kick to the back post was brilliantly volleyed across goal into the far corner by Antic.  That lead only lasted about ten minutes though as the hosts restored parity after a ball into the six yard box was converted from point blank range by Vasiljev, although Bodul then had a great chance to restore the visitors lead, before Minsk then went clear but could not beat the keeper in what was a golden chance to pinch it for the hosts and get them out of that third bottom place.  Shakhtyor then glanced a header wide near the end as they searched for a winner, but it ended all square which means Minsk stay were they are but are now a point further clear of Smolevichy in second bottom, whilst the visitors close the gap to three at the top and remain in second and are now ten unbeaten.



Neman Grodno 1 Dinamo Brest 0

This was game of the weekend, the West Derby between Neman, who were on a five-game winning run, against last year’s Champions and resurgent Dinamo Brest who were on a four-game winning streak themselves.   The hosts began well and took the lead after seventeen minutes when Zabelin sent a downward header into the net, and it was Neman who continued to have the better of the first period although Brest did have a couple of decent efforts towards the end of the half just to let their opponents know they were still in this contest.  Both teams traded openings in the second period it what was a well contested ‘West Derby’, but Neman came out on top in what was a huge statement to the league, they are now third and a point behind second place with a game in hand after six straight wins which is a remarkable turn around after the start they had.  For Brest, it’s a first defeat since they lost to BATE twice in four days several weeks back, the latter the cup final of course, and it leaves them fifth but only five points off the leaders so they are still right in the mix despite this setback.



BATE 0 Dinamo Minsk 2

Leaders BATE knew they could open up a six point cushion at the top with victory against a Dinamo Minsk side who had been in good form over the last three weeks, winning two and drawing the other, and although the hosts were twelve unbeaten they were showing signs of a wobble after two draws, one where they threw a 2-0 lead away, and a fortunate win last time out at bottom side Belshina.  The opening forty five minutes were tight and although both sides did have openings, the match was a bit of a battle with little quality on show, however, in the 63^rd minute and after Minsk had seen a long range effort well saved, the visitors went in front after a cross from the right was brilliantly headed home by Shikavka, and the home side were shell shocked and knew they had to fight to get back in this one.  Three minutes later though things got a whole lot worse for the league leaders as Minsk quickly doubled their advantage as after the ball had come off the keeper following a save, Kozlov was on hand to side foot home into the net and the home crowd were whistling their displeasure whilst a healthy following from the capital were chating ‘Dinamo!!! Dinamo!!!’.  The final quarter of the game was played mainly in the visitors half as BATE tried to find a way back into the game, but the visiting defence stood firm, and Minsk could of grabbed a third but for a brilliant double save, however the side from the capital recorded a stunning win to make it three wins from four and climb into sixth spot and only four points off second spot, whilst a first home defeat of the season for BATE which saw their twelve match unbeaten run end here, means they remain top but now just three points clear of Shakhtyor in second spot.  That’s one win in four now for the leaders, which for them is a poor run, so it gives hope to the chasing pack looking to knock them off their perch.



Round Fifteen – Sunday 28^th June

Torpedo BelAZ 1 Vitebsk 0

Hosts Torpedo had dropped to seventh after Friday/Saturday matches, and were coming into this having not won in three but knew a win here would take them level with Neman in third and Energetyk in fourth.  Vitebsk sat two points and a place behind Torpedo though and were seven games unbeaten and came into this one off back to back wins and knew a win would take them up to sixth and above their opponents.   The opening half saw Torpedo gradually take control and came close on two or three occasions with the closest seeing a cross shot glance of the bar which totally caught the visiting keeper out, but it wasn’t an inspiring half of football as the teams went into the break goalless.  Both sides had good chances in the opening stages of the second period, Santos struck the post for the visitors before Ramos almost got on the end of a through ball, but in the 69^th minute Ramos produced a bit of magic when he struck home from the edge of the box.  Vitebsk had a wonderful chance to level thereafter when going clean through, but the effort was over the bar and it meant the hosts would go onto win and end their three match winless run, thus ending the visitors seven match unbeaten run.  Torpedo climb into fourth and only four points off the leaders, whilst Vitebsk drop to ninth following their first defeat in eight.



Ruh Brest 3 Belshina 0

Rukh last won in Round Eight, but have now gone seven games without a win, as their decent start has gone south very quickly, but they did show battling qualities in their draw at Shakhtyor last time out although Stepenov’s heroic’s in goal certainly helped them gain a point there.  They welcome bottom side Belshina to Brest who almost humbled the might of BATE at home last weekend but eventually lost out, so they will be no pushovers for sure, despite four defeats in their last five, which does not tell you the whole story.  An early header on target for the visitors soon made way for a period of hosts attacking, and in the 12^th minute they hit the front when a lovely flick from Diallo started a sweeping attacking move down the right which ended with him sliding home a cross from the right, and Rukh had an early lead.  The hosts suffered a blow when Diallo had to go off injured on the half hour mark after tweaking his right hamstring, and the visitors did have their moments as the game headed to the break with just the one goal in it.  Rukh though were doing two thirds of the attacking and Diallo’s replacement Oreshkevich doubled their lead two minutes before the break when he converted a terrific cross from the left, and then barely two minutes later Vasilev curled home a beauty after the ball has come back to him inside the box, meaning the hosts went into the break with a three goal cushion and looking more than likely to end their winless run.  The second half saw Belshina have more of the ball, but despite some attacks could not find the target, whilst Rukh were playing on the break and could easily have added a fourth, but the damage had been done in the first half and Rukh were never really in danger of seeing their lead disaapear, ending their winless run and picking up a big three points, whilst for Belshina well they remain bottom and now four behind Smolevichy in second bottom and even further behind the rest.  It’s going to take a mammoth second half of the season for them to get out of trouble.



Gorodeya 0 Isloch 2

The hosts sit one point above the third bottom spot, currently occupied by Minsk who had a game in hand before this one, but will be encouraged after putting in a terrific display in defeat to Dinamo Brest last weekend, that off the back of their superb win over Slutsk the weekend before that.  Isloch themselves have slowly been getting back to some kind of form over the last three weekends, drawing two and winning one of those games, and three points here for the Minsk outfit would see them just four points off second spot in a congested table.  The visitors got off to a flyer in this one though, as in just the third minute Makas hit an unstoppable effort from outside the box into the top corner giving the keeper no chance at all, and there positive start could have been better had Yansane not dragged wide from a good position.  Gorodeya were not without their openings too in the first half and their best effort probably should have brought them level but they headed over from point blank range, but it was Isloch who went into the break with a slender lead.    Now Yansane is rumoured to be joining Shakhtyor tomorrow (Monday 29^th June) and this would be a huge loss to the Isloch side, well if this was to be his final appearance for the Minsk outfit he gave them a parting gift of brilliance as he outpaced two defenders before sending a wonderful finish with the outside of his foot into the far corner and double the visitors lead nine minutes after the break.  He went over to the travelling fans and high fived them all, maybe a sign he was saying thank you and goodbye perhaps?  He certainly had saved his best till last if that is the case and it helped his soon to be old side perhaps to make it unbeaten in four now for a side who have a good chance of European football perhaps.  Losing Yansane though could affect their chances but this was a good way to sign off, whilst for Gorodeya they didn’t really hit the hights of the previous two weekends in terms of performance, and they remain only five points above the drop zone and only a point above third bottom Minsk who have a game in hand.



Here is the latest table after Round 15:-

It’s all very tight at the top as we hit the halfway stage of the competition, leaders BATE only have five points between them and sixth placed Dinamo Brest, and there is only a four point gap between second placed Shakhtyor and eight placed Isloch!!!  Down at the bottom Belshina are going to need a big push in the second half of the campaign otherwise you feel they will get cut adrift, whilst it’s looking tight between Gorodeya, Minsk and Smolevichy for the other relegation spot and the play off spot too.  Plenty can change over the coming weeks though!!!



Here are next weekend’s fixtures, which of course is Round 16:-

Friday 3^rd July

Slavia Vs Slutsk (3pm)

Smolevichy STI Vs Dinamo Brest (5pm)



Saturday 4^th July

BATE Vs Energetyk BGU (2pm)

Gorodeya Vs Vitebsk (4pm)

Neman Grodno Vs Isloch (6pm)



Sunday 5^th July

Minsk Vs Belshina (2pm)

Torpedo BelAZ Vs Shakhtyor (4pm)

Ruh Brest Vs Dinamo Minsk (6pm)



Quite excited about Smolevichy hosting last years champions Dinamo Brest, feel this could go either way as although the hosts are second bottom, they play a decent brand of football and I still believe they can get out of trouble, and will be interesting to see how the visitors bounce back from defeat in the West Derby.  BATE vs Energetyk is also a decent match up, especially as the leaders are faltering and the visitors bounced back to winning ways with a 5-0 home win!!!  Neman welcome Isloch looking to make it seven straight wins althougb Isloch are four unbeaten themselves, and on Sunday a huge game down the bottom sees Minsk hosts Belshina, and after that it’s fourth placed Torpedo at home to second placed Shakhtyor, so plenty of big games coming next time out!!!

Belarus Premier League - Round Fourteen - 19th, 20th, 21st June 2020

Welcome back to another blog on Belarusian Football!!!  This week it is a look back a Round 14 as the season fast approaches the halfway stage, and it is still as tight as ever!!!  Lets have a looksy at what happened this weekend shall we…..



Round Fourteen – Friday 19^th June

Slavia 2 Smolevichy STI 1

Hosts Slavia were coming into this one having lost there last two games, and they were up against a Smolevichy side searching for a second win of the season and three points to take them closer to Minsk who occupied that play off relegation spot.  Slavia themselves were only two points ahead of Minsk before kick-off, so they knew a win was most important too.  The opening half saw the visitors miss some guilt edged chances and should have been three goals up at least come the half time break, so would they be made to rue those missed chances?  Well, yes because five minutes after the restart a much improved Slavia side from the opening half took the lead when after Shevchenko’s shot was blocked by a defenders hand, resulting in the award of a penalty kick, Slyusar stepped up to net the spot kick and the hosts led.  The response from the visitors was swift though as barely two minutes later they did find the net finally when Vakulich fired a bobbling effort into the far corner, and we were back to all square again.  But this crazy five-minute period yielded another goal as the hosts restored their one goal lead after substitute Tetteh headed home a cross from the right.  It had been a mad start to the second period, but this would prove to be the winning goal as Slavia picked up a big three points and left Smolevichy scratching their heads as to how they lost this game.  Simple answer was their lack of composure in front of goal, as on another day they could have won this game comfortably.  Maybe this is why they still find themselves second bottom and six points behind Minsk, and if Belshina shock leaders BATE on Sunday, they would sink to the bottom of the division.



Slutsk 0 Neman Grodno 1

The hosts form over the last few weeks has been nothing short of alarming and after two points from their last six games, they were heading towards the wrong end of the table very quickly indeed.  The visitors in contrast were flying after a difficult start and were gunning for their fifth straight win here and third spot (temporarily) too, which was a huge incentive.  Slutsk missed a good early chance to take the lead and relieve some pressure perhaps, whilst Neman saw a decent effort tipped over, but on the half hour mark the visitors edged ahead after Zabelin headed home, and the hosts must have been thinking ‘here we go again’.  Neman did have openings to double their lead too, were as Slutsk created very little after there early chance to take the lead, and things would get worse for the hosts too as in the second period they saw Krivulkin sent-off after receiving a yellow, his second, for kicking the ball away in frustration, and then not long after that went down to nine men after Kozlov was also shown a second yellow for what the referee adjudged to be a foul.  In my view the referee was losing his head a bit and some of the yellows were awful decisions, in fact they were not even fouls in my view.  Krivulkin’s first yellow was certainly extremely harsh, so it probably felt like the world was against the home side, especially after the last few weeks.   That Zabelin header though proved enough for the visitors to notch up five straight wins, and third spot for now, whilst for Slutsk it’s five defeats in seven and ninth for now, and if others below them start picking up points it could be very serious for them indeed unless they can pick up a win from somewhere. 



Round Fourteen – Saturday 20^th June

Isloch 2 Torpedo BelAZ 2

Two of Saturday’s match up’s came from Minsk, and the first one was between an Isloch side who were looking for back to back wins following last weekend’s 1-0 at Minsk, whilst Torpedo were just trying to right a small slide after just one win from four with the points here, and go level on points with second placed Shakhtyor.  Both sides created openings in the first forty five minutes but it was Torpedo who led at the break thanks to the retuning Ramos, who side footed home after a cut back from the left eight minutes before half time, but eight minutes after the break Isloch levelled when Kuzmenok sent a powerful header home.  Sadly for the hosts they weren’t on parity for very long as a stupid challenge from their keeper resulted in a penalty kick for Torpedo, and that man Ramos stepped up to slam home the spot kick and restore his sides advantage.  A frustrated Isloch then saw Stephen, who had been having a decent game, red carded for a second yellow after stupidly kicking the ball away after a decision went against him, and it meant the hosts would have to try and find a way back into this one a man light with just over fifteen minutes left to play.  They kept fighting though and got their rewards two minutes from time when Kuzmenok was on hand to control a free kick before turning and firing superbly into the bottom corner to at least grab Isloch a point from this one.  Torpedo would have been frustrated though not to have held on against ten men, and this means it’s now three games without a win as they occupied fourth for now, four points off the lead as it stood at that point.



Dinamo Brest 3 Gorodeya 1

Hosts Dinamo, last seasons champions of course, having brought themselves right back into the title race and European spots too following a run of three successive wins, and they were looking to join second placed Shakhtyor on 25 points with a fourth successive win here against a Gorodeya side who themselves came into this one after winning for the first time in two months last weekend, albeit against a very out of sorts Slutsk outfit.  The match itself began in what can only be described as monsoon like conditions and although this stopped a few minutes after kick off, it left a very greasy surface which would make things interesting.  Dinamo though on paper were big favourites to win this one, but last week’s win had given Gorodeya huge confidence, and it showed here, as just before the half hour mark Arkhipov, scorer of two last weekend, sent a header at the hosts goal and saw the keeper fail to keep it out and the visitors had a shock lead!!!   How would the hosts respond, well two of their previous three wins had come after going behind, so they knew they could do it, and barely a minute after they conceded they levelled this one up after a cross saw Laptev head back across goal for the ever committed Milevski to nod over the line from a yard out.  It had been a decent half of football despite being played in difficult conditions and the visitors were more than playing their part, and at the start of the second period Gorodeya should of gone in front after missing two decent openings in the opening five minutes.  Dinamo though would find a second midway through the half, this after they had struck the bar, when a cross was converted by Laptev and the roar that greeted this told you how much it meant.  Five minutes afterwards they increased their lead, when after the visitors saw a free-kick tipped over, a shout for a penalty was waved away and Dinamo broke in devastating fashion, ending with Gordeychuk firing home and kill off the brave visitors.  Gorodeya to their credit kept coming though, although were always susceptible to a counter attack from the hosts, and although the visitors then hit the bar twice in a matter of seconds at the end, Dinamo had done enough to take another three points and put themselves right into the title race after looking totally out of it only a few weeks ago.  The visitors certainly made them work hard for this though and had more than enough openings to maybe grab something here, so they can take plenty of positives from this despite defeat.



Dinamo Minsk 0 Enrgetyk BGU 0

The final game on Saturday and the second from the capital of the day saw Dinamo looking for a third straight win and a place in the top six at the expense of opponents Energetyk who were going through a rough patch and had not scored a goal in five halves of football.  The opening half saw the hosts with a best of the chances, including one where they somehow missed when clean through on goal, whilst the second half saw Energetyk hit the bar as they had the better chances in the second period.  Neither side could convert any openings they created though, meaning Saturday’s action would end with a goalless draw in the Dinamo Stadium.  Dinamo then remained seventh and three points and a place behind sixth placed Energetyk who now have not found the old onion bag for 315 minutes of football, which would have been unthinkable a few weeks ago. 





Round Fourteen – Sunday 21^st June

Belshina 0 BATE 2

On paper this looked like a nailed on away win, the hosts sat bottom of the table with just six points from thirteen games whilst BATE were league leaders looking to go five clear of second placed Shakhtyor ahead of their game later in the day and stretching their unbeaten run to twelve games.  Football isn’t played on paper though is it and the hosts came into this one having stunned Energetyk in Minsk last weekend for their first win of the season, whilst BATE had drawn their last two, including last weekend’s titanic tussle with Shakhtyor, so a negative result here against the bottom side could make them doubt perhaps?  Well the opening twenty minutes suggested the hosts confidence from last week was still up as they thumped an effort against the crossbar in only the third minute, then then headed against the post on twenty minutes as the hosts settled much quicker, but BATE were always going to settle eventually and after missing a decent close range chance they went in front in the 27^th minute when skipper Stasevich struck a brilliant effort into the bottom corner.  This began a good spell for the league leaders who missed two brilliant chances to edge further ahead before the half was done, but could not, so the lead was still only one heading into the second period.  And it was a period that although started with BATE forcing a good save from the hosts keeper, Belshina probably had the better of it and created some decent openings but could not find a way through.  And with seven minutes remaining BATE sealed the points and breathed a sigh of relief, and it was a poor goal for the home side to give away as a ball into the mixer by Stasevich saw keeper and defender collide going for the ball, and the loose ball ended up in front of goal and allowed Nekhaychik the easiest goal of his career as he duly thumped it over the line.  BATE then picked up the points and moved five clear of second place ahead of the late game on Sunday, but were made to work very hard for it by a Belshina side who had the better of the game for two thirds of the contest.  They remain bottom with six points but can take many positives from this performance, and if they take this into the second half of the season will give themselves a great chance of picking up points and getting out of danger.  A lot of work to do though but anything is possible!!!



Vitebsk 1 Minsk 0

The hosts come into this one six unbeaten and ended a run of five successive draws with victory in Brest last weekend and notching their first three points since Round Five, and knowing that a win would send them up to seventh and just outside the top six and four points off the European spots.  For Minsk it was all about trying to get out of that third bottom position and avoid three straight defeats after back to back losses against Dinamo Brest and Isloch.  Three points would see Minsk jump two places for now and with games in hand maybe start to make up places in the table, but they were on the back foot early on in this encounter and after twelve minutes conceded a penalty after Minsk forward Khvaschinsky blocked a goal bound effort with his arm, and Nicolaescu struck home the spot kick as Vitebsk had a good start to this one.  A fact given to me by Shakhtyor’s English twitter account said that both players were on loan from their side, so Khvaschinsky helped his fellow on loan striker to top scorer in the division, so that was an interesting fact!!!   The former had Minsk’s only real effort on goal in the opening half as they slowly got themselves into the contest, but saw his decent effort saved, but the hosts missed a couple of openings themselves to make it 2-0 so as the game went into the second period there was still only one goal in it.  The game though ended up being a battle and wasn’t the prettiest as the foul count went up and up, and although both saw chances they weren’t that clear cut, but they were certainly giving it all in a physical sense.  Vitebsk though did hold on and record back to back victories, and now are seven unbeaten as they climb up to seventh and now only four points off third place and the last European spot, whilst Minsk remain third bottom (relegation play off zone), six above the drop zone and two points behind the teams above them but with an extra game or two to play, but they have to win those.  Three defats in a row for them now, they must change this around soon.



Shakhtyor 1 Ruh Brest 1

The final game of Round 14 saw second placed Shakhtyor five points behind leaders BATE at kick off after they had won earlier in the day, and they were up against a side who had not won in five and had slid to only two points above the relegation play off zone (Minsk) so knew they needed to get back to winning ways soon.  The hosts had come into this one after there epic top of the table clash against BATE last weekend and they looked to extend their unbeaten run to ten games, and after Rukh saw an early effort blocked, the hosts should have been three up in eleven minutes but missed some unbelievable chances.  The remainder of the half saw the hosts miss countless chances to take the lead, although the visitors did head home through Diallo but saw the flag go up, before a corner was headed off the line in what was a frenetic opening forty five minutes.  The hosts missed more chances in the second period as it looked like one of those days for them, and it looked like it would be a day where they wouldn’t get anything from it as Rukh took a 72^nd minute lead after Diallo was left unmarked six yards out and he couldn’t miss.  But four minutes after that the hosts responded brilliantly when a through ball found Lisakovich who dinked beyond keeper Stepanov who had finally been beaten and the hosts had time to win it you felt.  Stepanov, who made some brilliant saves throughout, made his best one not long after that equaliser as a ball from substitute Bodul found Lisakovich who looked for all the world he had scored again, but the keeper stuck out a hand to tip the effort brilliantly wide of the far post.  The visitors themselves were looking more threatening by this time too and had their moments, but it ended all square and it was a point each.  Shakhtyor then did cut the gap to four to the leaders but really will feel this is two points dropped after a frustrating day in front of goal, whilst for Rukh it’s a point but six games without a win now, but it was a point well-earned today.





Here is the table after this weekend’s action:-

BATE then increase their lead to four points, whilst behind them only four points separate Shakhtyor in second and Vitebsk in seventh.  Amazing to think as well that Dinamo Minsk in eighth and Isloch in ninth are only five points off a European spot, it really is tight isn’t it.  Down at the bottom Belshina remain bottom and a point behind Smolevichy, then there is a six-point gap to third bottom Minsk in the relegation play off zone.  The bottom two have played well lately but if they cannot turn this into wins, they are in danger of being cut adrift, so big games to come for them.  One of those games in hand for Minsk is against Smolevichy, and they still have to play twice so those games could well decide each other’s fate.  Slutsk, Slavia, Rukh and Gorodeya are now in a critical time, win a couple and they can start looking upwards, lose a couple and they could be dragged into the fight towards the bottom.  We are almost halfway now, and it’s looking like the second half could be very exciting!!!





Here are Round fifteen’s fixtures are the season reaches the half way stage:-

Friday 25^th June

Energetyk BGU Vs Slavia (3pm)

Smolevichy STI Vs Slutsk (5pm)



Saturday 26^th June

Minsk Vs Shakhtyor (2.30pm)

Neman Grodno Vs Dinamo Brest (4.30pm)

BATE Vs Dinamo Minsk (6.30pm)



Sunday 27^th June

Torpedo BelAZ Vs Vitebsk (2pm)

Ruh Brest Vs Belshina (4pm)

Gorodeya Vs Isloch (6pm)



My game of the weekend comes on Saturday afternoon at Stadion Neman as fourth placed Neman Grodno host third placed Dinamo Brest.  The hosts have won five in a row whilst last years champions have won four straight, so this proves to be a pretty good match up.  Anyway that’s all for this week so see you next week for a look back at Round 15.

Belarus Premier League - Round Thirteen - 12th, 13th, 14th June 2020

Another round of the BPL to write about now, starting with Friday’s night’s double header: -

Round Thirteen – Friday 12^th June

Minsk 0 Isloch 1

Hosts Minsk were trying to bounce back from last weekend’s mauling at the hands of Dinamo Brest, and were also trying to prevent back to back defeats in the process, whilst Isloch were on a four game winless run and in danger of being sucked into the clutches of the lower half sides who were right on their tails.  Minsk had two wonderful chances to go in front early on but saw Khvaschinsky’s raider unusually off, as he scuffed wide from point blank range and then struck the post with the other effort, whilst Isloch were welcoming back Yansane after a one match suspension, and he forced a good stop from the keeper in what was the visitors best chance in the opening half.  Isloch did more of the attacking though and ten minutes into the second period that man Yansane was brought down inside the box, and skipper Komarovski, who netted Isloch’s leveller last weekend in their 1-1 draw against Ruh Brest, stepped up to rifle an unstoppable spot kick into the net and Isloch had something to defend.  Minsk did have a couple of chances thereafter but the off colour Khvaschinsky could not find the net with either, but the visitors defended well when they had too and in the brilliant Yansane, they always remained a threat going forward.  He really does make a difference to this side, and his contribution to the goal certainly suggested this.  Minsk then suffer back to back defeats and slip to third bottom and into that relegation play of position, albeit with a couple of games in hand, whilst Isloch net their first win in five and climb up to sixth ahead of the weekend games, and put some daylight between them and the chasing pack below.



Gorodeya 3 Slutsk 0

The home side came into this one off the back of two pretty poor performances, and last Friday night they were handed a bit of a thumping by second bottom Smolevichy for whom that was their first win of the season.  Slutsk were the visitors and they themselves were on a five-match winless run yielding just two points from those games, but they must have fancied getting their season back on track here.  The previous two weeks had seen them create plenty of chances to win both games, but cutting edge in front of goal has deserted them lately, so they would have been hoping to grab something against a side who had shipped six in their last two games.  The visitors lacked energy and a spark in the first half and Gorodeya were much improved from previous weeks and in the 34^th minjute took the lead when Arkhipov converted from the angle after the hosts had driven towards the visitors area at pace, and soon after a ball across goal was converted for 2-0, but no offside was given, much to the displeasure of the hosts boss!!!  The hosts were doing well though and deserved their half time lead, but it was to get even better for them and a lot worse for Slutsk early in the second half as after a visitors attack broke down, the hosts sent a ball through to Arkhipov who ran clear from just inside the Slutsk half, and although being chased he kept his cool to slot into the far corner and send the hosts wild with delight and a two goal cushion to boot.  Four minutes later and ten minutes into the second half Gorodeya made it three as Slutsk were capitulating as a flick on found Pavlyuchek who slotted home from close range and the hosts were in dreamland.  It had totally killed off any hopes of a Slutsk recovery and at that stage it looked like Slutsk would fall apart.  The visitors did have more of the ball thereafter but that was all they had, this was a shocker of a result for them and in turn a worrying one too.  The hosts though were delighted, this was their first win for two months and took them out of the relegation play off place as a result, and remarkably only three points behind a free falling Slutsk side who are now down to seventh ahead of the weekend games.  The visitors topped the standings after Round Seven, but only two points from six games since then has seen them fall eight points off the leaders and only five points above the third bottom place and relegation play-off position.  Alarming





Round Thirteen – Saturday 13^th June

Neman Grodno 2 Smolevichy STI 0

Saturday’s first match saw two sides coming into this one off the back of decent wins from the previous week.  The hosts were in fact looking for four straight victories after a great run of form which has seen them climbing up the table, whilst Smolevichy netted four last Friday evening in what was their first win of the season at their eleventh attempt and had played some decent football for last few weeks without luck.  The first half saw Neman force a couple of stops from visiting keeper Gomelko, but it was a first period devoid of much goalmouth action, and the opening period of the second half was not much better.  But midway through the second half a moment of brilliance saw the deadlock broken, and it came from hosts skipper Zhukovski, as after the visitors lost the ball in midfield, he ran on and fired a super long range effort in off the post and the hosts had the advantage.  The visitors struggled to create anything significant going forward in this contest, with the usually dangerous Poe down the right snuffed out on more than one occasion, but they were making this a tough contest for the hosts and were defending well for the majority of the time.  Neman though did eventually seal the points and their fourth straight win when who else but Kadymyan was involved, crossing to Yablonski who chested down the cross before firing home with his right foot from inside the box with three minutes remaining.  Not a classic contest but Neman will not care about that, and they climb up to sixth and only two points from the top three and those european spots ahead of Sunday’s games, whilst Smolevichy lose for the seventh time in twelve this season and remain second bottom and six points off third bottom Minsk, with the latter having a game in hand still.  Those two still have to meet twice though so that could well decide who occupies which spot come the end of the season.



Torpedo BelAZ 0 Dinamo Brest 2

The hosts recent form has been mixed, so they were looking to put in a decent performance and claim second spot for now although they were up against a Dinamo Brest side who had notched ten goals in their last two outings including five in one half last weekend against Minsk, and the champions from last season knew a win would take them into third ahead of tomorrow’s games and above their opponents too.  Torpedo actually started quite brightly and were the better team for the opening 15-20 minutes as Brest took time to settle, but thereafter the visitors started to come more and more into the contest, and in the 26^th minute grabbed the lead when a Laptev header came off a defender and back to the striker who prodded into the far corner.  And two minutes later it was two just like that as Kislyak curled a beauty into the net from the edge of the box and Brest were now flying once again, as the hosts looked shell shocked after the start they had they were now two goals behind.  The second half saw Torpedo attempt to try and get back into the contest and saw their best effort glance off the crossbar, and with twenty five minutes remaining Kiki was shown a second yellow for a foul meaning Brest were down to ten men.  Moments after this came an award of a penalty kick for the hosts in a rather controversial decision, as after keeper Pavlyuchenko had come and claimed a cross, he stuck his leg up like all keeper do and slightly brushed the attacker who was trying to challenge the cross.  The attacker made the most of it an went down holding his arm, and the referee incredibly gave a penalty and booked the keeper which was utter madness.  Dinamo were understandably upset with this decision, but the referee was adamant it was a penalty.  Veloso had the chance then to bring his side back into the contest but he saw his spot kick saved by Pavlyuchenko and you felt justice had been done, and it kind of summed up Torpedo in front of goal, especially second half as they created enough chances to at least grab a point.  Fair play to Dinamo though who dug in and defended as a unit and got the clean sheet as their season is going from strength to strength now, and they climb into the top three and before Sunday’s game trail BATE the leaders by just four points.  Are they playing themselves back into another title race perhaps?  For Torpedo it was a disappointing day and one they felt they should of got something from after that second half showing, but it’s only one win in four now as they slip to fourth and could slip even further by the end of the weekend, but they are still right in the mix for top honours and level on points with their opponents.



Dinamo Minsk 1 Slavia 0

The final game from Saturday came at the Dinamo Stadium in the capital, as Dinamo Minsk hosted Slavia, and both sides had something in common over the last two weekends.  What is that you ask?  Well, both went to bottom side Belshina and won, but that’s where the similarities end, as Slavia had to come from 2-0 down to win in the final minute, whilst Dinamo thrashed them 4-0 in what was a fairly comfortable victory last weekend.  Slavia came into this one having lost 3-1 at home to the inform Neman Grodno, but knew a win here could see them climb into the top half, whilst the hosts would go seventh for now with back to back wins, so plenty to play for here.  It turned out to be a rather scrappy affair in all honesty, but the game was settled with a moment of brilliance from Shikavka nine minutes before the break.  After the ball was sent into the box the attacker acrobatically sent a wonderful effort into the corner of the net, and this was the only quality moment in a rather dull encounter.  One to forget then, but the hosts do enough to pick up the points and send themselves into the top seven, whilst Slavia slip to tenth and will finish the weekend in eleventh after tomorrow’s games, and only two points above Minsk who occupy that relegation play-off position.





Round Thirteen – Sunday 14^th June

Energetyk BGU 0 Belshina 1

The hosts headed into this one having not won in two games, this after a five game winning streak prior to that, so they really felt they had to get back to winning ways against bottom side Belshina who were still without a win this season and had lost their last three games coming into this one.  Victory for the home side could see them end the weekend in second spot too so a big incentive for them to get back to winning ways too, but the visitors had the first opening when a ball across goal was just too high for the visitors before Energetyk then struck the bar and then saw a goal chalked off for offside.  The visitors then missed a brilliant chance to go in front as this competitive encounter remained goalless going into the break, but just two minutes after the restart the visitors took a shock lead when Kovel sent a close range diving header into the net.  The hosts looked to respond to this set back and struck the bar once again from a free kick and missed more chances as Belshina were just about holding onto the lead, and with one of those chances saw Moussakhanian caught in the face when heading just off target, resulting in him being stretchered off and into an ambulance to be taken to hospital with a serious facial injury.  Hopefully, he is ok and will be back sooner rather than later.  It also meant the hosts were down to ten men too, and they could not find a leveller in the remaining time and saw Belshina record a stunning victory in Minsk and pick up their first win of the season.  No dount the visitors had done some soul searching after the last couple of weeks as this was a superb confidence boost for them although they still have plenty of work to do, but it’s a start, as for the hosts well it’s now three games without a win and back to back defeats which sees them slip to fifth although they are level on points with third placed Dinamo Brest so still in a decent position but need to try and regroup and get back to winning ways as soon as possible. 



Ruh Brest 0 Vitebsk 1

The hosts came into this one having not won in four games, and they started the match only one place and two points above Minsk in the relegation play-off place, whilst the visitors were two places above but on the same number of points as their opponents so this was an important match down towards the lower part of the table.  Both sides drew last weekend although the visitors draw was a far bigger achievement after they fought back from 2-0 down against league leaders BATE to claim an unlikely point in that one, and Vitebsk certainly initially continued from where left of against BATE as they flew out of the traps in this one, missing two brilliant chances in the opening seven minutes.  After ten minutes though they did go in front as Nicolaescu sent a close-range header into the corner of the net and the visitors were well on top and now in front.  The hosts did respond well to going behind though and came more and more into the contest thereafter, and early in the second period they were pushing the visitors back as they looked to try and grab a leveller.  Vitebsk though managed to whether that storm and then Rukh saw Kovtun sent off twenty minutes into the second period after two quick yellows, and that rather affected the hosts momentum and although they did have chances to level still, Vitebsk had openings to seal the points but could not do this.  But that early goal proved enough to hand Vitebsk their first win since Round Five, which ironically was against Rukh rivals Dinamo Brest, and they are now unbeaten in six games too which is no mean feat indeed.  Rukh though are now winless in five and need to find some form from somewhere soon unless they want a battle against relegation in their hands if others below pick up.



BATE 2 Shakhtyor 2

The final game of the weekend and Round 13 was a biggie, as the winners would end the weekend on top of the pile.  Hosts BATE could end the weekend as much as five points clear at the top, or if Shakhtyor claimed a big win in Borisov then they would end the round a point clear of BATE at the top, so this result would certainly lay down a marker.  BATE of course are now unbeaten in ten games although last weekend’s draw would have been a huge disappointment after they lead 2-0 with twelve minutes to go, whilst the visitors have won their last four and haven’t conceded a goal in the league for 675 minutes, seven and a half games, but this would surely be put under severe pressure against the leaders who had the home advantage.  Well, after seven minutes the visitors made their intentions known that they were here to take top spot as they went ahead after just seven minutes as Ivanovic glanced a header into the far corner, and if BATE didn’t know they were in a game, well they did now!!!  The closest BATE came to levelling in the first half was when Milic sent a glancing header towards goal which was saved, but Shakhtyor were nailing a perfect game plan and the hosts were struggling to break that mean defence down, and just before half time it really should have been 2-0 to the visitors but a wonderful double stop from Chychkan denied them a two goal cushion at the break.  It had been another half without conceding though and they were on their way to leading the table, although there was still a big forty-five minutes to come.  The opening fifteen minutes of the half went pretty much the same way the opening half had, but just past the hour mark BATE found a way through that Shakhtyor defence as Nekhaychik converted a cross from the left and meant after 736 minutes of league football the visitors had finally conceded another goal, and it would now be a huge test of the visitors nerve to see if they could get a positive result from this game now.  With twelve minutes to go though BATE grabbed the lead as Shakhtyor conceded again when substitute Skavysh, who had only come on for Milic moments earlier, headed skipper Stasevich’s corner home, and the celebrations told you everything and how much this goal meant to the hosts, they were going five points clear at the top as things stood.  Three minutes later though their joy was to turn to despair and anger, as the visitors put a ball into the box and as keeper Chychkan tried to gather, he crutched into a teammate and an attacker and the ball broke loose and Podstrelov, also on as substitute, put the ball into the empty net.  Everyone expected the whistle to blow and disallow the goal but it never came and Shakhtyor celebrated whilst BATE were absolutely livid, resulting in Chychkan being booked for his protests and a member of the coaching staff was red carded and the manager booked.  More importantly though it meant the match was back in the balance and heading into the final part with still everything to play for, and you felt that BATE might get a chance before the end to win it, and they did two minutes into stoppage time but fluffed their lines and for the second weekend running had to settle for a 2-2 draw.  Fantastic drama and a brilliant way to end the weekend, BATE do remain two clear of second placed Shakhtyor but there could be a title race on here folks!!!





So after all that excitement and drama, here is how the table looks after Round 13:-

Here are next weekend’s fixtures for Round 14:-

Friday 19^th June

Slavia Vs Smolevichy STI (3pm)

Slutsk Vs Neman Grodno (5pm)



Saturday 20^th June

Isloch Vs Torpedo BelAZ (2pm)

Dinamo Brest Vs Gorodeya (4pm)

Dinamo Minsk Vs Energetyk BGU (6pm)



Sunday 21^st June

Belshina Vs BATE (2pm)

Vitebsk Vs Minsk (4pm)

Shakhtyor Vs Ruh Brest (6pm)



Thanks for reading as always, see you next weekend!!!

Belarus Premier League - Round Twelve - 5th, 6th, 7th June 2020

So Round Twelve now, and another eight games for us to get tucked into, well it began on Friday evening as it does most weekends, here is what went down in Belarus…..



Round Twelve – Friday 5^th June

Smolevichy STI 4 Gorodeya 1

The action began with a big game down at the bottom between winless Smolevichy and an out of form Gorodeya who sat just above their opponents in third bottom and eight points above the bottom two.  You could argue that on paper the visitors form over the last few games was marginally better, they had drawn three of their last five, whilst Smolevichy had lost four of their last five, but if you look into those performances in more detail certainly the hosts had been showing signs of decent football without getting a result, whilst the visitors had been awful the previous week against Neman and were dogged at best in the previous weeks, so for me the hosts had a great chance here to grab their first win of the season.  With fifteen minutes on the clock Smolevichy grabbed the lead when a cross from the left saw Barsukov send a superb downward header into the far corner, and then nine minutes before the break they doubled their advantage as after some lovely build up play they sent a cross into the six yard box and although Vakulich saw his initial effort kept out, the ball came back to him and he sliced an effort into the net as the home side were comfortably two goals up at the break.  The visitors had been poor again for the second weekend running and needed a response quickly, but two minutes into the second period it went from bad to worse in comical fashion as an overhead kick from Makarov looked easy for the keeper until a defender stuck his head out to block the effort but instead headed it beyond his own keeper who was totally wrong footed, and it just about summed up Gorodeya’s evening.  Smolevichy were totally in control and could have easily been five or six goals up as they attacked with pace and power and Gorodeya just could not cope with it.  But from nowhere the visitors gave themselves a glimmer of hope with just under twenty minutes to go when Sajcic fired a free kick in off the post, although I felt keeper could have done a bit better, but for a few minutes afterwards Gorodeya had a brief spell that if they could of grabbed another, the most unlikely of comebacks was on.  It was just that though, unlikely and brief, as the hosts finally settled this one and no doubt their nerves when Makarov fired a left footed effort into the corner of the net, and the hosts had their first three point haul of the campaign!!!  They certainly did it in style and special mention to Poe down the right (and left briefly) who caused the visitors untold problems all evening, and it means that Smolevichy now trail third bottom Gorodeya by five points with a game in hand too, which is against Minsk who are only a further point down the road.  The visitors were pretty poor again today and must be worried, that’s two awful losses in the last two weeks, and they welcome an out of form Slutsk to their Stadyen Haradzeya ground knowing they must improve and put in a decent showing there.   





Round Twelve - Saturday 6^th June

Slutsk 1 Torpedo BelAZ 1

First game of what I dubbed ‘Super Saturday’ due to their being four games back to back and some potentially decent contests, was an out of form Slutsk side who were hosting Torpedo.  The hosts hadn’t won in four games after starting the season so well, and were in danger of slipping further down the table if they didn’t halt this slide, whilst the visitors had won three of their last five outings and were looking to go second.   Torpedo’s form over the last couple of weeks had not been convincing though so they needed to try and improve that if possible, and the first half was very well contested with lots of meaty challenges flying in.  The hosts probably had the better of the openings that did materialise though, but it was goalless at the break.  Slutsk then had the better of the second period and should have been in front when Torpedo took the lead with twenty minutes remaining in the game as a corner came into the six yard box and Gorbachik got his head in it to squeeze it over the line.  It was very tough on the home side, but this was how their luck was going lately and it looked like they were heading for a fourth defeat in five.  They kept plugging away though to their credit and found a leveller just as the game ticked into stoppage time when Serdyuk rammed home from close range to salvage a point for the hosts.   It was the least they deserved but it’s no win in five now as they slip to sixth after Saturday’s action, whilst Torpedo did go second although their second half showing was again unconvincing, but will most likely end the weekend third after tomorrow’s matches.  Still they are in a good position.



Isloch 1 Ruh Brest 1

Game two of Saturday saw an Isloch side who had lost three in a row up against a Rukh outfit who themselves hadn’t won in three and were coming into this off the back of a heavy Brest derby defeat against Dinamo, so to say confidence amongst both sides wasn’t high would be an understatement.  Both though knew wins could lift themselves into the top six, but it was another tight competitive encounter in a goalless opening forty-five minutes.  Isloch probably shaded the first half on chances created, but both sides lacked a cutting edge despite them both attacking at every opportunity, however with just over twenty minutes of the match to go, Rukh edged in front, as Diallo got in behind and beat two defenders to the ball to prod beyond the keeper.  Isloch’s reply though was instant, as a minute later they drew level, when Komarovski thumped a brilliant effort in off the post and we were all square again.  Could anyone find a winner?  Well deep deep into added on time Isloch so nearly won it, when a header was somehow clawed out by the keeper, although it looked very close to being over the line, some debate about that most probably, but it wasn’t given and the game ended all square.  It did mean Isloch ended a run of defeats with a point which sees them slip to eighth after Saturday’s action, whilst Rukh slip to tenth as both sides are in a pack of mid table sides.



Slavia 1 Neman Grodno 3

Game three of Saturday’s action saw Slavia hosts Neman, with both having the chance to break into the top seven with wins.  Slavia of course mounted a terrific comeback against bottom side Belshina last weekend to take a dramatic late win, whilst visitors Neman were looking for their third straight win after victories over Torpedo and Gorodeya in their last two outings.  The visitors drew first blood in this one when Kadymyan played in fellow attacker Marusic who fired the ball through the legs of the keeper and into the net in the 19^th minute, but on the half hour Slavia levelled with some brilliant individual skill from Narh, who twisted and tuned his way through a pack of defenders before seeing his effort at goal deflected beyond the keeper and into the net.  The visitors then had a huge penalty shout just before the half time whistle, which for me looked like a clear penalty, but the referee thought otherwise and the sides went into the break all square in what was a very entertaining contest.  In the second period the hosts won a free kick just outside the box, although replays suggest it may have been just inside, so 1-1 in terms of penalty shouts going against the sides too, and then the visiting keeper made a unbelievable double save to prevent Slavia from going in front.  As the half went on though Neman looked threatening again and did retake the lead with fifteen minutes left after Marusic latched onto a lovely pass to belt a first time left footed effort beyond the keeper.  Neman then probably should of wrapped up the game after missing chances for 3-1, but with four minutes to go they did eventually add a clinching third when Marusic broke the offside trap to stroll in and slot beautifully into the corner of the net for his hat trick and seal a third straight win for the visitors.  Defeat for Slavia means they are ninth, whilst Neman are flying right now and are in seventh after Saturday’s action and within touching distance of the top five.



Dinamo Brest 6 Minsk 1

The final game of Saturday took us to Brest where hosts Dinamo were looking to make it back to back wins and climb into the top five after what had been a pretty difficult season so far, but last weekend’s Brest derby win over Rukh certainly gave them confidence coming into this one and hopefully for them something to build on going forward.  Minsk were looking for back to back wins themselves after their return from isolation, and last weekend’s 1-0 win over Slutsk was a good win for them, so could they possibly net a shock win here?  Well, after just six minutes they stunned their opponents when after home defender Kiki’s sloppy play allowed Khvaschinsky to pinch the ball from him, he laid in strike partner Yevdokimov who sent a neat finish into the far corner and just like last weekend, Minsk had an early lead to defend.  Dinamo though were piling on the pressure but almost gifted the visitors another when an awful header back towards their own goal saw the dangerous Khvaschinsky get onto it but luckily for the hosts send a wild finish way off target.   The hosts though were doing most of the pressing and finally broke through just before the half hour mark when a ball across goal saw Kiki slam home at the far post and make some amends for that mistake earlier.  Dinamo then saw a deflected effort come back off the bar, but Minsk themselves had moments as I said with Khvaschinsky a menace for the hosts defence as the sides went into the dressing room level.  Dinamo though kind of set the tone for how the second half would pan out when they grabbed the lead four minutes after the restart when skipper Milevski played the ball to Noyok and he fired a lovely effort into the far corner, and then in the 64^th minute Milevski was creator again, with some delightful play down the left before teeing up Gordeychuk to fire home on the stretch into the far corner and the hosts now had a two goal cushion.  Seven minutes later it was four as a deflected effort flew across the box and saw Laptev get his head on the ball and find the net, and then three minutes after that Dinamo added another as substitute Savitski, who netted two in the derby last weekend, grabbed his sides fifth when after he sent a close range effort against the woodwork, he volleyed it back into the net as Minsk were now looking a spent force and in trouble of being totally embarrassed here.  Dinamo were playing some wonderful stuff and their sixth goal with eight minutes left was a beauty too, as Laptev turned provider by sending a wonderful diagonal pass over the defenders head and into the path of Savitski who duly lofted a brilliant finish over the keeper and the hosts were rampant.   It’s now ten goals in two games for last year’s champions, and they now are second top scorers in the division with leaders BATE the only ones who have now scored more, and some way ahead of the others too, and they climb into fifth spot and only three points off those European spots, and starting to look a lot more healthy then they were a few weeks ago.  Torpedo away up next, they must fancy their chances of victory there too and that would really put them amongst the top few if they were to happen.  For Minsk it was a mauling for them in the second period, and they are 12^th and six points above the bottom two, with a game in hand of course, although that game in hand is against one of those bottom two in Smolevichy.  Could be a biggie that…..





Round Twelve – Sunday 7^th June

Vitebsk 2 BATE 2

The final day of Round Twelve saw it begin with the league leaders travelling to Vitebsk and looking for seven straight wins to take them further clear at the summit of the division.  Vitebsk though would be another tough test even though their lowly league position would suggest otherwise, and the hosts drew 3-3 with highflyers Energetyk last time out so knew how to cause the big boys some problems.  And the hosts had also drew their last four outings were hard to beat, but BATE were gifted a 14^th minute lead by home keeper Guschenko who instead of booting a ball clear that was rolling back towards his area, he decided to try and let it roll into the box so he could pick it up, but this allowed Nekhaychik to nip in just before he could do this and slot into an empty net.  BATE are hard enough to play against as it is so to gift them an early lead in this way was a disaster, and just before the hour mark it was double trouble for the keeper as he came for a cross he was getting nowhere near, and with Guschenko in no mans land the ball was headed back into the path of Dragun who slotted into an empty net and BATE had a two goal lead.  It was such a poor time for it to happen as the hosts were starting to put BATE under pressure early in the half, and this just totally killed any momentum they had, and thereafter you felt the visitors were going to cruise to their seventh straight victory.  Well, enter into the fray BATE keeper Chychkan, who obviously didn’t want his opposite number to take all the flak, as with twelve minutes to go his terrible clearance was pounced upon by the hosts and Volkov fired into the bottom corner and suddenly the hosts had a lifeline from nowhere, and BATE had shot themselves in the foot and let their opponents back into a contest that was just drifting along to a comfortable away win.  Diego was a menace down the left all day for the visitors, and he had gone close a couple of times earlier in the contest, but in the 89^th minute he was to play a big part in what been a very unlikely leveller for his side only ten or so minutes before hand, as he got to the by-line before cutting back to Kesnofontov who swivelled and fired home from close range to deny the league leaders the win and grab a terrific point in the process.  It was some finish to the game, and it meant BATE would only finish the Round two points clear of second placed Shakhtyor ahead of their mouth-watering clash in Borisov next weekend.  As for the hosts this was a superb comeback and they do still fall to twelve but after five draws in a row they know if they can go one better next time round they could be climbing that table soon enough.



Belshina 0 Dinamo Minsk 4

Hosts Belshina are now the only team without a win this season after they saw Smolevichy win on Friday evening, so they knew that they really needed to follow suit in this one, and they were up against a Dinamo Minsk side who had a very mixed last five in terms of results so maybe it would be third time lucky at home for the hosts after coming so close to winning in their last two at their own ground.  In fact, they led Slavia 2-0 last weekend before losing 2-3 in the final minute, something I feel might have taken a while to get over.  After just four minutes of this contest though they fell behind after Klimovich curled a super effort into the far corner, and then right on half time Minsk grabbed a crucial second after hosts keeper Turanok decided to join in on a day of keeper mishaps but miskicking a clearance straight to the visitors, and the ball found it’s way to Danilo who struck in off the post.  It was to get worse for Belshina and Turonok too as just five minutes after the break the keeper came flying out to claim a cross and got nowhere near it, and visiting centre half Goropevsek had the simple task of side footing home from a yard or so out.  Minsk were now cruising and added a fourth twenty minutes into the second period when Vergeichik turned and fired home from inside the box, and the hosts were in danger of being totally blown away.  This turned out to be the final goal of the contest though, and Minsk climb five places to eighth and mid table security for now, but as for the hosts, maybe they hadn’t got over the hangover of last week’s heartbreak, and they are now bottom, winless, and nine points off third bottom Gorodeya, it’s not looking too good for them right now.



Shakhtyor 1 Energetyk BGU 0

The final match of Round Twelve saw 4^th placed Shakhtyor entertaining 3^rd placed Energetyk with both sides knowing a win would take them closer to the leaders BATE after they threw away two points earlier in the day.  The hosts came into this one off the back of three straight wins and hadn’t conceded since Round Five when Slutsk stuck two past them in forty five minutes, whilst the visitors had seen their winning run ended dramatically at home to Vitebsk last weekend in an enthralling 3-3 draw.  This match would ultimately be decided after just twelve minutes when Lisakovic was played in and he fired a decent finish across the keeper and into the bottom corner, but at that stage you didn’t think that would be the only goal in the contest.  Energetyk thought they had breached that impenetrable back line but saw a very tight offside call go against them, whilst Lisakovich saw an effort thump off the post as the score line remained 1-0 at the break.  BGU came out positive early in the second period and forced the home keeper to tip over brilliantly, before another effort flew just wide of the post but as the game went on you could sense how tense it was on the pitch and how important this result was to both sides.  BGU fired just over in another attempt before the hosts somehow did not double their lead when another shot across goal thumped against the post, as you felt if it went 2-0 it would surely be game over.  BGU’s best chance though came five minutes from time when they got in behind that defence but saw the keeper stick a handout and divert it inches past the post.  Shakhtyor had more chances to seal the deal but could not, however they did manage to see out the game and claim a big three points, which sets up next weekend’s match against BATE in Borisov quite nicely.  Win that and they top the table by a point, but no doubt their defence, which has now gone an incredible 675 minutes without conceding, will be put under severe pressure there.  As for Energetyk it’s now two games without a win but they are still in a decent position of fourth and ready to pounce if teams above them slip up, but they are now four points off leaders BATE after this latest round of matches although those European places are still well within sight.





Here is the latest table after Round Twelve…..

And here are next weekend’s fixtures…..

Round Thirteen

Friday 12^th June

Minsk Vs Isloch (4pm)

Gorodeya Vs Slutsk (6pm)



Saturday 13^th June

Neman Grodno Vs Smolevichy STI (2pm)

Torpedo BelAZ Vs Dinamo Brest (4pm)

Dinamo Minsk Vs Slavia (6pm)



Sunday 14^th June

Energetyk BGU Vs Belshina (2pm)

Ruh Brest Vs Vitebsk (4pm)

BATE Vs Shakhtyor (6pm)



No doubt about game of the weekend, it is in Borisov as leaders BATE take on second placed Shakhtyor with a possibility that the hosts could be knocked off top spot.  A BATE win though would see them potentially go five clear at the top, so there is a lot riding on this one, should be fun!!!!  You also have 3^rd Vs 5^th as Torpedo host a resurgent Dinamo Brest as last years champions have the possibility of going level with third place and those European slots, and you also have the potentially entertaining encounter between an in form Neman Grodno and a Smolevichy side who will also be full of confidence after their first win which was done in some style too.  Should be exciting, see you next weekend for Round Thirteen.

Belarus Premier League - Round Eleven - 29th, 30th, 31st May, 1st June 2020

Round Eleven saw the league back to it’s full compliment of games after Minsk’s two week isolation period ended, and it began on Friday evening with two games….



Round Eleven – Friday 29^th May

Torpedo BelAZ 2 Smolevichy STI 1

Hosts Torpedo really needed to bounce back after there woeful performance in defeat at Neman Grodno last weekend, and they were up against a side who were still searching for that elusive first win this season.  It didn’t start well for the host either when they fell behind on the quarter hour mark when Makarov sent a bullet of a strike into the hosts net after Ramos lost the ball on the edge of his own box, and it looked like another hard weekend was upon the home side.  But in the 34^th minute Ramos made up for that error, as a free kick into the box saw a flick on hit him on his back and loop up and into the far corner as the teams went in level at the break. And Ramos was involved in the winning goal after 68 minutes, as after he was played in his effort was saved but it fell into the path of visitors skipper Zhevnerov who could only put the ball into his own net and give Torpedo the three points.  A welcome win for the hosts then and it sees them stay third and four points behind leaders BATE, whilst Smolevichy remain second bottom and six points from safety.



Gorodeya 0 Neman Grodno 2

On paper most fancied the visitors prior to kick off, the hosts don’t score many and had drawn three of their last four, whilst Neman had swept Torpedo BelAZ aside last weekend in a very impressive display, and were looking climb further up the table with a win here.  The visitors did most of the pressing in a goalless first half were neither keeper was really tested, but early in the second period Neman saw keeper Dudar given a straight red card after coming out of his goal and taking out an attacker as he tried to lift the ball beyond him, meaning the visitors would have to play the majority of the second half with ten men.  Advantage hosts then?  Well no not really as in the 66^th minute Neman won a penalty after a foul inside the area, and the ever reliable Kadymyan stepped up to convert the spot kick, and then ten minutes later the ten man visitors doubled their lead when Yablonski followed in to net a rebound, meaning the visitors recorded back to back wins and lifted themselves into tenth and only three points off fifth!!  Gorodeya though drop to fourth bottom after a poor display here.





Round Eleven – Saturday 30^th May

Belshina 2 Slavia 3

Bottom side Belshina were still searching for their first win of the season, and had come close a couple of times recently, but last weekend’s heavy defeat at Shakhtyor was a disappointment, whilst visitors Slavia hadn’t won in three and were in the lower half of the table themselves so wanted to win to put more daylight between them and the dangerzone down at the bottom.  The first half hour belonged to the hosts and they were two goals up inside 25 minutes, firstly when Bashilov produced a brilliant long range effort in off the post after 16 minutes, and seven minutes later it was two as Solanovich headed home a cross from the right, and you felt maybe just maybe they would now grab their first win and climb off the bottom.  Well….on 32 minutes Slavia managed to pull one back when Nedashkovski nodded home, and then with thirteen minutes remaining it was all square after a cutback into the six yard box saw Kovel put the ball into his own net.  It looked like a draw was the likely result with the hosts yet again disappointed after throwing a lead away to only get a point, but in the 89^th minute disaster for Belshina as Narh swivelled  on the edge of the box and sent a effort at goal which deflected and ended up in the top corner and Slavia had pinched all three points after a stunning comeback win!!!  Absolute heartbreak for the hosts and this will take time to get over I’m sure, and they remain bottom of the league with no wins still and must be wondering if they will ever have a better chance of getting that elusive win here.  For Slavia absolute joy after being outplayed for the opening half hour, and they rise to eighth and now only six points off a European spot!!! Madness!!



Dinamo Minsk 0 Shakhtyor 1

This game won’t live long in the memory that’s for sure, but a Lisakovich strike early in the second period settled this one at the Dinamo Stadium.  The winning moment came five minutes into the second half when Lisakovich broke the offside trap and bent a decent finish beyond the keeper with the outside of his right foot.  It also meant the visitors still have the meanest defence in world football, with nine clean sheets so far this season in eleven games and have now gone 595 minutes since last conceding a goal.  Pretty special you have to say!!!  It means they remain fourth and have now won three on the spin, whilst Minsk are down in 12^th but are only four points off Slutsk in fifth!!!  So tight.





Round Eleven – Sunday 31^st May

Energetyk BGU 3 Vitebsk 3

Sunday’s triple header began in Minsk as Energetyk BGU were looking to go top ahead of BATE’s encounter against Isloch and were also looking to make it five straight wins in the process.  Vitebsk were the visitors and were in a group of teams sitting just above the drop zone, albeit with a healthy gap to those sides in the bottom two, but after three successive draws they wanted three points.  This turned out to be an absolute cracker and saw the visitors take a shock lead on eight minutes when Santos got in to slot home, but just past the half hour mark the hosts levelled when Bakic powered home a header.  That began a remarkable end to the half as BGU then went in front seven minutes later as a poor defensive clearance was brilliantly volleyed home by Umarov, but two minutes later Vitebsk levelled from the spot through Nicolaescu after a needless foul inside the box.  However, there was still time for BGU to retake the lead as a minute before the break a ball across the box was smashed home first time by Tweh, and a crazy twelve minutes ended with the hosts leading at the break.  The early exchanges of the second period were not favourable for the home side, first of all they thought they had increased their lead, only to see the flag go up for offside as an attacker was standing offside and in the eyeline of the keeper, so after celebrating they were left disappointed at having the goal chalked off, and then ten minutes into the half Yudchits was shown a straight red card after going into a challenge, and it was very very harsh it had to be said, but they would now have to play the final 35 or so minutes with ten men.  Well, they had to do a lot of defending for most of the remainder of the contest, but it looked like they had held out for a well-earned three points, that was until a ball into the box saw Cesar rise to power home a header for the visitors four minutes into stoppage time and rescue a point for Vitebsk with what was the final play of the game.  It meant BGU’s winning run came to an end as they now sat level on points with leaders BATE before their game, whilst the visitors had their fourth successive draw which sees them in 11^th, just three points behind Slutsk in fifth.  A brilliant attacking game of football it was, although BGU will feel the harsh sending off of Yudchits might have cost them the game here, it certainly gave the visitors the initiative in the second period that’s for sure.



BATE 1 Isloch 0

BATE knew a win would see them end the weekend three points clear of Energetyk BGU in second, and they were up against an Isloch side who were trying to avoid a third straight defeat.  The odds were heavily in favour of the hosts then but the first half saw both sides create one decent chance each, however, it wasn’t a half with many chances apart from that, but seven minutes before the break BATE managed to edge ahead when after winning a penalty Milic struck home the spot kick meaning the hosts did lead at half time.  Things got harder for the visitors on the hour mark when their main striker Yansane was sent off after receiving two bookings within minutes of each other, but despite the hosts hitting the woodwork twice, Isloch were still in the game.  BATE missed chances to kill off the visitors, and then deep into stoppage time Isloch were reduced to nine men when Yanushkevich was given a straight red after bringing down an attacker who was in on goal.  Not a vintage performance from the hosts by any means, but after losing their opening two games of the season they have now won eight of their last nine and are sitting pretty at the top.  Isloch battled hard and made it tough for the league leaders in Borisov, but they lose their fourth game in five and slip to seventh and will be without a key striker and defender next weekend.



Ruh Brest 1 Dinamo Brest 4

It was that old saying, last but certainly not least, as Sundays triple header ended with the Brest derby at the Stadyen DASK Brestski, and a noisy crowd of just under 2,500 awaited the sides, most of whom were backing the visitors for the day.  This was a huge game for Dinamo as after the season they were having and coupled with that heart-breaking cup final loss last weekend, defeat here was unthinkable.  Rukh, who were playing their first season in the top division, could pull a gap of four points to their city rivals with a win here, so they knew they could really be top dog in the city with three points in this one.  And after 13 minutes Rukh drew first blood in the derby when Abdulaye rose to power a header in off the bar and Dinamo were behind, how would they react to this latest setback??  Well, they reacted positively and on the half hour mark drew level when Kislyak saw his effort deflect into the far corner and was greeted with huge noise from the Dinamo supporters, and this competitive but fairly played contest was all square at the break.  Dinamo hit the woodwork as they looked to try and find the lead, whilst Rukh missed a great chance themselves, and the longer the half went on you could sense the pressure that was building on the Dinamo players, they just had to win this game you felt, and the crowd were getting frustrated, as was the manager and the players, especially when they were turned down for a penalty, which saw talisman Milevski booked for his protests.  Could they find a winner?  Well with eighteen minutes remaining they were awarded a penalty when a header struck the hand of a Rukh defender, and Savitski scored to give Dinamo a priceless lead, it was huge for them and they had less than twenty minutes to see this one out.  They more than saw this one out though as they blew their opponents apart in the final part of this contest, netting again with ten minutes to go when Savitski headed home for his second, and then Laptev fired a powerful effort at goal which saw the keeper allow the ball to squirm through his grasp and through his legs into the goal with four minutes to go.  So, in the end they cruised to victory and it was a massive win for them, and it sees them rise five places into sixth spot and in striking distance of the European spots.  Oh, and they are now two points above their city rivals who themselves slip to ninth and three places below after a disappointing end to this one.  Will this turn Dinamo’s season around??  We shall see, but this result will certainly give them a lot of heart going forward





Round Eleven – Monday 1^st June

Minsk 1 Slutsk 0

Round Eleven drew to a close on Monday and it saw the return of Minsk after a three week absence following their isolation period, and they were up against a Slutsk side who were looking to try and avoid a third defeat in their last four games.  It started badly for the visitors as well as they gifted Minsk a fifth minute lead when they gave the ball away on the edge of their own penalty area and the hosts pounced, squaring to Khvashchinsky who slotted into the open net after the keeper had come and was left committed, and the visitors had the worst possible start.  Minsk should of doubled their lead not long after but saw the keeper save after the hosts had broken the offside trap but after a sluggish start from Slutsk they controlled the remainder of the half and spurned three very good chances to level.  Minsk then got to the break with a slender lead and after the break Slutsk somehow missed another decent opening, but after that it was Minsk who had most of the chances, catching the visitors with some good counter attacking play.  The only thing missing from that play though was a second goal, and they spurned several chances to double their lead and make life more comfortable, and although Slutsk but some pressure on towards the end it was Minsk who grabbed the points on their return to action.  It saw the hosts go above their City rivals Dinamo too whilst for the visitors it’s now one point from their last four outings as their poor run continues.





Here is how the table looks after the weekends action….

And here are next weekend’s fixtures…..

Round Twelve

Friday 5^th June

Smolevichy STI Vs Gorodeya (4:30pm)



Saturday 6^th June

Slutsk Vs Torpedo BelAZ (12pm)

Isloch Vs Ruh Brest (2pm)

Slavia Vs Neman Grodno (4pm)

Dinamo Brest Vs Minsk (6pm)



Sunday 7^th June

Vitebsk Vs BATE (2pm)

Belshina Vs Dinamo Minsk (4pm)

Shakhtyor Vs Energetyk BGU (6pm)



That concludes this week’s blog, catch you next weekend with Round Twelve.