BATE has easily entered the third round, without much physical or mental effort. Alexander Karnitsky used BATE’s advantage to score in the 15th minute of the match, thanks to an upper pass by Alexey Rios from the left attack flank. On missing the ball, the hosts tried to catch up but, 15 minutes later, Rios scored again, beautifully, from the penalty line.
A moment from the BATE-SJK match
The Finns attempted to show their fans that they were not as ineffective as they might seem, but lacked zeal. Nevertheless, one minute prior to halftime, Cameroonian Ariel Ngueukam brought the score to 1:2 for the Finns. After halftime, the hosts continued to attack, and in the 61st minute, Roope Risk equalised the score, bringing it to 2:2.
The Borisov team went on the attack, keeping the action on the rival’s half of the field. However, the Finns realised that they could yet win and play remained sharp until the end. Both teams could have succeeded, but the score didn’t change.
In the third round, BATE, twelve times champion of Belarus, will again play Ireland’s Dundalk, with the first match taking place at home.
By Semen Bondarev
