After BATE Borisov’s emphatic win on Wednesday, the situation was clear: It is the final call for the league’s early surprises to issue any sort of title challenge.
In the crowded area between second and sixth places, one team has once again risen to the occasion: Energetik BGU.
After a dramatic win today against the strong Isloch, they are only one point away from the country’s eternal champions.
Isloch v Energetik BGU
Entering today, one thing was almost certain: this duel will not end in a draw. Both sides are yet to tie this season, and this day proved no different - although it wasn’t far from it, and late drama proved decisive.
In the first half, both sides shared penalties: In the 13th minute, a bad back-pass by Isloch then led to confusion inside the box, which Montenegrin Dusan Bakic capitalized on and was fouled right before he can finish. However, there are zero worries when you have the league’s top scorer to take the penalty: Jasurbek Yaxshiboev converted as usual. In the 26th minute, Momo Yansane was brought down in the penalty area - and Godfrey Stephen equalized from the spot.
In stoppage time, it seemed as if this one may go down in the books as a surprising yet forgettable tie, but perhaps this is Energetik’s season after all: Evgeny Yudcihts, a right-back who bizarrely wears the number 9 shirt, received the ball in midfield, calmly advanced towards the box and hit an accurate shot from 20 meters out. No chance for the keeper, a dramatic 2-1 win for the guests.
Can Energetik keep up with BATE Borisov for much longer? Only time will tell, but the boys from Minsk have four wins in a row and are giving one hell of a fight.
In other games today:
Slutsk - Ruh Brest 1-1
Vitebsk - Dinamo Minsk 1-1
