Cup final looms in Belarus

By Denis Orlov

The Belarussian season got under way in April with the Belarus Cup semi-finals and the start of the league campaign throwing up some considerable surprises.

Khaletskiy factor
In the cup, FC BATE Borisov won 1-0 at FC Darida Zhdanovichi, while FC MTZ-RIPO Minsk beat FC Neman Grodno 2-0 at home. Aliaksei Khaletskiy headed in Aliaksandr Ermakovich's free-kick as early as the second minute to put BATE in front. Khaletskiy has been bright since returning from a loan spell at FC Zvezda-VA-BGU Minsk - and his goal against FC Transmash Mogilev decided their quarter-final.

'No fear'
"There is nothing unexpected about these goals," said the 20-year-old. "After my recent head injury I was more cautious in the air, but you forget about fear in a match situation. This header will give me more confidence for the future." MTZ-RIPO comfortably saw off Neman in their semi-final first leg, Vitaliy Taraschik scoring one against his former club and setting up the other. The second legs will be played on 4 May, with the final on 22 May.

Neman victories
There are three teams with maximum points after two rounds of Premier League matches, and modest Neman find themselves one of the early frontrunners. After a 1-0 home victory over FC Naftan Novopolotsk, they achieved the same result at Zvezda.

Expected results
As for title-holders FC Dinamo Minsk and much-fancied FC Torpedo Zhodino, their victories were more predictable. However, Torpedo coach Yuriy Maleev was hardly impressed by his team's performances: "Our early displays have been very mixed - a lot of effort but not enough ideas."

BATE draws
Last season's runners-up BATE shared the points with FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk who finished third last year. Shakhtyor newcomer Mikhail Patsko opened the scoring for the hosts in the third minute but Aliaksandr Lebedev made it 1-1 before half-time. Pavel Beganskiy put visitors in front in the 71st minute before Viktor Borel rescued a point. Shakhtyor then beat Transmash 3-0 at home, while BATE were held 1-1 at home by Darida.

Nothing in hand
Elsewhere, FC Slavia Mozyr, FC Dinamo Brest and MTZ-RIPO are yet to open their points accounts. Slavia's position in the bottom half of the table is expected but Brest and MTZ-RIPO's poor starts are a major surprise.