FC BATE Borisov
manage to get to UEFA Europa League Group Stage for the third time in
its history. After a disappointing 1-1 game at Borisov-Arena the
Yellow-Blues had to deliver a result in FC Oleksandriya's Nika
stadium in a game that was not easy from the beginning.
The home side
cheered by a sell-out crowd were better in the first half creating a
couple of good opportunities. BATE goalkeeper Dzianis Shcharbitski
had to step up to prevent troubles for the Borisovites.
Nevertheless,
Oleksandriya scored after a dubious penalty. Sitalo was eager to fall
down in the box for the referee to point at 11-meter spot. Hritsuk
beat Shcharbitski with a good conversion, which meant BATE had
somewhat a bit more than an hour to save themselves from a European
exit.
Montenegrin
international Mirko Ivanić was the gamechanger with a brace in just
five minutes. First he made use of Nemanja Milunović's classy
header-pass to nutmeg the goalkeeper for the goal. And then headed
home Ihar Stasevich's well-timed cross to make it 2-1.
Stunned Oleksandriya
did not manage to create anything special in spite of 7 minutes of
injury time. Thus FC BATE sealed their third UEFA Europa League Group
Stage in history.
The team of
Aliaksandr Yermakovich will face FC Shakthyor Soligorsk away in a
pivotal game of Belarusian Vysshaya Liga on Sunday, 27 August.
Aliaksandr YERMAKOVICH (FC BATE Borisov Head
Coach):
- That was for
sure a great game for us. It went along a blockbuster script with a
terrible beginning and a happy end. The first half was hard for us.
FC Oleksandriya dominated and created more opportunities. I am really
happy we managed to change the game. The team showed their character.
I am proud of the team's performance in the second half. We are
really happy. It was really important for us to go to the group
stage. We have an experienced squad and there were a lot of difficult
games. We corrected many mistakes from the first half, won more 50/50
tackles and on the whole looked more convincing. Mikalai Sihnevich
appeared on the pitch to reinforce the attack. We know he is in top
form now, but we needed someone ready to step up from the bench and
make difference.
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