BELARUS 2

ICELAND 0

Belarus: S. Veremko, A. Kulchy, R. Filipenko, S. Omelyanchuk, P. Plaskonny, V. Bulyga, S. Kornilenko (V. Hleb), M. Romashchenko (S. Kryvets), H. Blizniuk (A. Paulav), R. Vasiliuk, R. Kirenkin (K. Pavluchek)

Iceland: S. Magnusson, B. Saevarsson, B. Eiriksson, B. Gudjonsson, A. Thorarinsson, A. Gunnarsson (D. Vidarsson), B. Vidarsson (P.Palmason), S. Gislason (J. Saevarsson), T. Gudmundsson (E. Hedinsson), H. Sigurdsson (G. Thorvaldsson),T. Bjarnason (B. Adalsteinsson)

Referee: C. Lautier asst.refs: P. Agius, I. Spiteri 4th official: M. Borg

Scorers: R. Vasiliuk, P. Plaskonny

Belarus won the inaugural match of this year’s tournament, beating Iceland with a goal in each half, demonstrating their physical strength and some attacking flair in the process.

The 2004 Tournament winners, now under the guidance of former East German coach Bernd Stange, delivered the killing punches just when Iceland were showing some inclination to go forward, although hardly capable of disturbing the Belarus goal.

Both sides were mostly composed of players from local clubs but in the overall analysis they managed to produce quite entertaining fare with some flowing football and a good ratio of scoring opportunities.

The Belarus captain, Romashchenko, who plays for Torpedo Moscow, was his side’s point of reference, wide on the left flank. He showed all his experience and technical skills when the mood took him.

Their goalkeeper, Veremko, also distinguished himself with some effective goalkeeping that preserved his side a clean sheet.

Iceland held the initiative for most of the first half hour and carved a couple of chances which could have put them in front. Yet they failed to apply some decent finish, especially when they were unable to connect on several raking balls from free kicks and deep crosses inside the Belarus area, mostly propelled by Bjarnason from the right flank. The latter had a tame effort easily saved by the Belarus keeper on the quarter hour from an Eiriksson cross.

It was Belarus, however, who broke the deadlock on 33 minutes with their first genuine foray. Raman Vasiliuk’s superior pace took him inside the area and he beat Icelandic keeper Magnusson with a powerful shot.

Iceland made some reaction as Sigurdsson’s low shot was saved by the outstretched keeper Veremko, after Plakonny had lost possession, and then skipper Gislason, who plays for Brondby, shot narrowly off target.

Iceland squandered the half’s best chance on the stroke of halftime when Belarus keeper missed the ball on Bjarnason’s long cross but Gudmundsson miscued his shot completely when standing in front of a gaping goal.

Belarus scored their second two minutes after the restart when Iceland’s keeper failed to hold Plaskonny’s rasping shot.

Belarus gradually started to dominate play, even looking menacing with shots from Blizniuk and Bulyga.

Doing most of the running, Belarus went close again on 68 minutes. Bulyga ran in well for Romashchenko’s deep cross but his shot missed the target.

On 71 minutes, Sigurdsson tested Veremko with a close range shot which the Belarus shot stopper did superbly well to turn into a corner.

In the late stages Iceland were again thwarted by the Belarus keeper as he held out an effort by Thorvaldsson, one of six substitutes used by coach Johannesson.