While the focus of football fans around the world revolved around the Bundesliga return, the Belarusian league continues.
Matchday 9 of the Belarus Premier League was played today, with the important game between BATE Borisov and Slutsk headlining.
BATE Borisov v Slutsk
BATE wanted to take the lead back after Torpedo Zhodino leaped into first place yesterday. Their opponent, Slutsk, is also aiming for the top spots, although they lost last week for the first time after five consecutive matches.
BATE didn't have to wait too long for the first goal. In the 4th minute, a series of passes ended with a goal by Nemanja Milić. 20 minutes later, Igor Stasevich scored from a direct free kick, 20 meters away from goal. BATE was still much better in the second half. In the 70th minute, Aleksandar Filipović assisted with his head to Pavel Nekhaychik. The experienced midfielder struck the ball in. BATE wins 3-0.
This win takes BATE back to the first place, just before their crucial match next week against Dynamo Brest. Although Slutsk lost tonight, they are still only three points away from the top.
Energetik-BGU v Dynamo Brest
The defending champions, Dynamo Brest, looked to keep their form after two straight wins. They played away against one of the most entertaining clubs in Belarus this season, Energetik-BGU.
Energetik was much more dominant in the first half, as Dynamo Brest barely had any chances. In the 40th minute, Energetik crossed a ball from the left side, Dynamo's goalkeeper punched it badly, and Dušan Bakić scored the first. At the beginning of the second half, Energetik found the net again. Jérémy Mawatu took the ball from Roman Yuzepchuk and passed it to Yevgeni Yudchits - who made it 2-0. Dynamo Brest could do nothing against their rivals' defense. Only in the final attack of the match, Brest made a clumsy counter attack, and Sergey Kislyak scored. 2-1 Energetik final score.
Dynamo Brest continues with their unstable performances, and that does not look good before their match against BATE Borisov. Energetik-BGU can feel proud of their results so far, as they are only one point behind the first place.
Shakhtyor Soligorsk v Slavia Mozyr
Shakhtyor Soligorsk was trying to make another decent result in a mid-table match against Slavia Mozyr. Soligorsk took the lead for the first time in the 30th minute when Vitaly Lisakovich tried to cross a ball from the left, but his shot was so powerful that the goalkeeper couldn't stop it. Slavia Mozyr was punished when Vladislav Malkevich tackled Roman Begunov. At first, the referee missed that, but later he was called by the assistant referee - who advised him to book Begunov for the second time and send him off. In the 87th minute, Shakhtyor scored another goal, when Lisakovich assisted to Sergey Balanovich, who easily found the net.
In the end, a 2-0 win for Shakhtyor Soligorsk. They can feel good with a fourth consecutive match without a defeat.
