Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus were beaten 1-0 by Belarus in an international friendly at the GSP Stadium on Thursday evening. The match produced few clear chances, with Belarus more assertive in possession and organised defensively.
Scrappy opening and limited chances
The game was marked by petty fouls and cheap turnovers, with few moments of quality at either end. Belarus created the first half’s clearer openings, while Cyprus rarely troubled goalkeeper Fedor Lapoukhov despite the narrow margin.
Shumanski’s early openings
Artem Shumanski, the 21-year-old winger who plays for Krylia Sovetov Samara, was the target of two early Belarus attacks, arriving unmarked at the back post from crosses into the penalty area. Both deliveries reached him slightly early, leading to a first attempt sent into the advertising hoardings and a second toe-poked high into the empty south stand.
Tsikhamirau scores after corner sequence
The decisive goal followed a sequence that began with a speculative 35-yard shot by Ivan Tsikhamirau of Dinamo Minsk, saved by Neofytos Michael of Pafos FC. Valeri Gromyko of Maxline Vitebsk took the resulting corner, which Michael punched clear only as far as Krylia Sovetov Samara’s Kirilll Pechenin. Pechenin’s half-volley struck the crossbar, and the ball recycled to Gromyko, whose second cross found Tsikhamirau, who headed into the corner of the net.
Another Belarus chance three minutes later
Belarus threatened again three minutes later when German Barkovski of Piast Gliwice played a through ball to Max Ebong of CSKA Sofia. Ebong lifted the ball over Michael, but it lacked the pace to beat Christos Shelis of Panetolikos, who cleared back into play, with the ball falling again to Ebong.
What did you make of Cyprus’ performance in the friendly against Belarus?