The return match of the second qualification round of the Europa League was played in Zhodino, with Torpedo-BelAZ again defeating Hungary’s Debrecen (7-time national champion) 1:0. Vadim Demidovich scored the only goal, in the 25th minute, taking a pass from Mikhail Afanasiev; more should have been forthcoming, but Sergey Shapovalov’s shot hit the goalpost and a fantastic long, penalty kick by Yevgeny Klopotsky struck the crossbar.
Goal being scored by Torpedo-BelAZ
The first match ended with an unexpected 2:1 victory for Torpedo-BelAZ, who appeared the outsider in their pairing. In the third qualification round, Igor Kriushenko’s team will face Vienna’s Rapid, who caused trouble for Minsk’s Dinamo in the group round of the 2015/16 Europa League.
Two more Belarusian clubs played return matches in the second qualification round of the Europa League: Minsk’s Dinamo defeated Irish St. Patrick’s Athletic 1:0 away; while Soligorsk’s Shakhtyor was beaten by Slovenian Domzale 1:2.
Dinamo Minsk, during the match
Dinamo is through to the next round of Europe’s second largest club tournament, thanks to Gleb Rassadkin’s 18th minute goal, taking a pass from Valery Zhukovsky.
Soligorsk, following a 1:1 draw at home, needed to score at least once in their away match against Croatia, and did so, thanks to newcomer Denis Laptev, in the 61st minute. Sadly, Croatian legionnaire Marko Alvir also managed to score, outwitting Belarus’ Vladimir Bushma in goal. Moreover, just nine minutes later, Croatia’s Zan Majer scored another goal from an effective corner kick.
Only two out of three Belarusian clubs continue through to the third qualification round of the Europa League.
By Igor Svitov
