Belarus wins back-to-back titles at the «Development Cup 2020»

The youth team of Belarus, composed of football players born not earlier than 2003, won against Tajikistan in the «Development Cup 2020» final. 

The final turned out to be difficult. The guests took the lead thanks to a beautiful combination ten minutes into the game. At the end of the first half, Tajikistan’s quick counterattack led to the second goal. Nevertheless, Andrei Skorobogatko’s team did not give up and continued to seek happiness at the other end. In the middle of the second half, it was Latykhov and Kunski who set up the goal once again. The first won the ball from the central defender and struck tightly into the far corner, the second came first to finish it of after the goalkeepers save to shorten the gap. The «white wings»  continued to attack and managed to snatch a draw in the additional time. Roman Marchuk scored after a cross from the left wing, sending the ball to the right bottom corner with a header.

In the penalty shootout, the psychological advantage was on the side of the hosts, who converted all the shots, while the opponent made one mistake.

It is the 4th victory at the «Development Cup» for the youth team of Belarus. Prior to this, the trophy was won in 2006, 2007 and 2019.

25.01.2019

16.45

Belarus - Tajikistan 2:2 (0:2) / 5:4 on penalties

Goals:  0:1 - Khudoidodzoda, 9; 0:2 - Azizov, 39; 1:2 - Kunski, 57; 2:2 - Marchuk, 80+3.

Referees: S.Klimashevski, A.Zhirko, V.Sakhar, N.Kabak. 

Referee observer: V.Kuzmin. 

Belarus: Kudravets, Nizhnik, Parkhomenko, Mikhniuk (c) (Kuznetsov, 41), Kunski, Marchuk, Kasarab (Osipov, 80+4), Latykhov, Migdalenok (Moskalenchik, 47) (Tikhonov, 74), Kuzmich, Chernook (Shedko, 47)

Substitutions: Yurasov, Zinovich, Zhurko, Beliaev, Urbanovich, Martynovich.

Tajikistan: Gaforov, Akhmatov (Innoyatullo, 33), Rakhmatzoda, Mehruboni (c), Andalibov, Khudoidodzoda (Sunatullo, 11) (Farukhzod, 76), Salimshoev (Karimov, 77), Shovaysudinov, Toirov, Alidzhoni, Shomurodov.

Substitutions: Yusupov, Safarov, Nishonboizoda.

Cautions: Khudoidodzoda, 9; Migdalenok, 45; Latykhov, 63; Azizov, 70; Nizhnik, 76; Karimov, 80; Gaforov, 80.

Red cards: Shovaysudinov, 71.

In early March, the #WhiteWings will hold two friendly games against Georgia, and then continue to prepare for a ticket to the UEFA 2020 U17 European Championship in the elite round.