Anyukevich heads Belarus to defeat of San Marino
Monday, September 10, 2012
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Belarus 1-0 San Marino
Aleksandr Anyukevich's header settled the contest in favour of the hosts and broke the resistance of a side down to ten men since the 39th minute.
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Third-place finishers at the 2011 finals in Denmark, Belarus rounded off their UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 1 campaign with a narrow victory against ten-man San Marino.
The hosts' fourth win in their ten matches came courtesy of Aleksandr Anyukevich's 79th-minute header, although the scoreline should have been more resounding.
San Marino, who finish with just one point, were reduced to ten men in the closing stages of the first half when Marco Berardi was dismissed for fouling Denis Yakhno inside the penalty area. Faced with the chance to fire his side ahead, Artem Bykov was denied from the spot by Mattia Manzaroli.
Pavel Kruk, thwarted from close range by the visiting goalkeeper, and Maksim Volodko, who shot over, added to Belarusian frustration after the break until Anyukevich eased it by turning in a right-wing cross 11 minutes from time.
