Belarus off the mark with Kazakhstan success

Maksim Volodko's goal ten minutes before half-time proved decisive as Belarus registered their first win in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 10.

Pavel Savitski gave the visitors the lead before home captain Bauyrzhan Islamkhan levelled on 32 minutes. However, FC BATE Borisov's Volodko hit the winner to avenge Belarus' defeat against the same opposition in June.

The game's opening goal arrived 13 minutes in as a throw-in from the right fell kindly for midfielder Savitski to clatter in a thunderous shot from outside the area. Hesitation in the visiting defence allowed Sergei Borovski's men back into it, as Islamkhan took advantage to run unchallenged onto a long ball before beating Vladislav Vasilyuchek with a deft lob.

Parity lasted just two minutes, though, Volodko's free-kick from the right evading everybody in the area to sneak into the far corner. The hosts almost responded after the break as Islambek Kuat struck the woodwork with a fine header from Islamkhan's ball, but Belarus held on to move level on points with the hosts, who face Armenia in Yerevan on Monday.