Belarus don win Cyprus by one goal to nothing for one international friendly match wey dem play for GSP Stadium for Nicosia. The only goal for the match come from Ivan Tsikhamirau for the 24th minute after corner kick wey hit the pole before the ball enter net.
The match begin with plenty intensity as both teams dey fight for control of the ball for midfield. Cyprus try to use set pieces and free kicks wey dem get from fouls wey Belarus commit, but dem no fit convert the chances to goal. Belarus defenders dey block well well, and dem dey counterattack quick quick when dem get opportunity.
For first half, Cyprus try to push forward with players like Kostas Pileas and Anderson Correia, but Belarus goalkeeper Pavel Pavlyuchenko dey alert to stop any danger. The Belarus midfield wey include Pavel Zabelin and Roman Begunov dey control the tempo of the game, make dem no allow Cyprus to settle.
After the goal, Belarus manage the lead well. Dem slow down the game, commit tactical fouls, and defend deep. Cyprus coach Apostolos Mantzios make changes by bringing in substitutes like Ioannis Kousoulos and Andronikos Kakoullis, but dem no fit break the Belarus defense wey dey organised.
For second half, Cyprus increase pressure. Dem get more possession and create few half-chances, but Belarus defenders like Egor Parkhomenko and Gleb Shevchenko block shots and clear crosses. Belarus also get opportunities for counterattack, but dem no add to the scoreline.
The match referee Miloš Milanović from Serbia blow final whistle after 90 minutes, give Belarus the victory. This win na important one for Belarus as dem don dey on bad run of seven matches without win before this game. The new coach Viktor Gancharenko begin his tenure with victory.
For Cyprus, this loss mean dem no don win for their last five home matches. Dem still dey find their first win for 2026 after poor World Cup qualifying campaign wey make dem finish fourth for Group H. Cyprus currently dey 128th for FIFA ranking, while Belarus dey 98th.
Both teams use this friendly match to prepare for the UEFA Nations League wey go come later this year. Belarus go face Armenia for their next friendly, while Cyprus go play against Moldova. The coaches say dem go use these matches to try new players and tactics.
Belarus midfielder Pavel Zabelin wey dey play for Cypriot club Omonia Nicosia talk say e dey excited to play against Cyprus national team. E say the GSP Stadium get plenty history and e dey good venue for the match. Cyprus midfielder Giannis Satsias talk say the team dey motivated by coach Mantzios contract renewal and dem wan win the friendly matches.
Coach Viktor Gancharenko talk say leading Belarus national team na special moment for am. E say dem no dey see the match as just friendly, but as opportunity to get good result and build team spirit. Coach Apostolos Mantzios talk say injuries give chance to try new players, and dem dey focus on improvement for Nations League.
The match statistics show say Cyprus get more possession and corner kicks, but Belarus get more shots on target. The only goal come from Belarus one clear chance wey dem convert. Both teams commit plenty fouls as the match dey physical with many interruptions.
Fans wey watch the match for stadium and through Disney+ Premium streaming see competitive game wey Belarus control for key moments. The victory go give Belarus confidence as dem dey prepare for future competitions, while Cyprus need to find solutions to their scoring problems before next matches.
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