Romaschenko aids Belarus comeback

Latvia 2-4 Belarus
Maksim Romaschenko scored two second-half goals as Belarus came from 2-1 down to beat Latvia in their friendly international encounter tonight.

Kolinko error
Belarus went ahead in the 15th minute when Latvian goalkeeper Aleksander Kolinko, who plays in England with Crystal Palace FC, failed to hold a long shot and Sporting Clube de Portugal's Vitaly Kutuzov swept in the loose ball.

Rimkus equaliser
Latvia hit back swiftly and equalised a minute later when Vitas Rimkus sent in a cross from the right and Maris Verpakovskis dived to head in. Juris Laizans then put Latvia ahead in the 26th minute but Aleksander Kulchij made it 2-2 four minutes later.

Two for Romaschenko
However, the hosts faded in the second half as Belarus increased the pressure. Romaschenko edged them ahead in the 64th minute and settled the issue four minutes from time when he picked up a delicate pass from midfield before going round Kolinko to score.

Tough start
The win will give Belarus a lift before they start their EURO 2000™ qualification with a tough Group 3 away match against the Netherlands on 7 September. Latvia kick off their Group 4 campaign at home to Sweden on the same night.