BATE swamp Zhodino to take Belarus Cup
Monday, May 24, 2010
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FC BATE Borisov coach Viktor Goncharenko pronounced himself "utterly delighted" after his side took their first Belarussian Cup in four years with a 5-0 defeat of ten-man FC Torpedo Zhodino.
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FC BATE Borisov overwhelmed FC Torpedo Zhodino 5-0 to claim their first Belarussian Cup in four years, though the losing side have the consolation of a place in UEFA Europa League qualifying.
The two sides are just 12km apart on the map, but the gap on the pitch proved much wider as Brazilian Renan Bressan and Vitali Rodionov scored two goals each, Artem Kontsevoi adding another from the spot. Torpedo striker Pavel Beganski was sent off just before half-time with his side already 2-0 down.
BATE head coach Viktor Goncharenko said: "We haven't played in the final since 2007 [when they lost to FC Dinamo Brest on penalties] so I was happy just to get here, and of course I'm utterly delighted that we won the cup. The game was over after Beganski was sent off. It looked like an easy game for us given the scoreline, but I am convinced it was a reward for our efforts in earlier rounds."
With BATE already heading for the UEFA Champions League as Belarussian champions, Torpedo will take the UEFA Europa League slot set aside for the Belarussian Cup winners.