Neman Grodno — Molodechno, Extraliga

Molodechno beat Neman Grodnо 1-0 in the Ekstraklasa on Tuesday evening. The result leaves both sides on zero points after five matches, though the table tells a different story. Guests sit fifth while hosts languish twelfth.

By then the match had already settled. Molodechno held on grimly through whatever came their way, and Neman kept knocking on the door without finding the net. The scoreline reflects that balance — one goal, one winner.

We'd given Neman a shot at victory, forty-two percent confidence at the time. And here's the thing, it didn't materialise. Molodechno's defensive structure cut them open less often than the visitors expected, and when chances came they didn't waste them.

Recent form suggests why. Neman lost three of their last four before this, including that heavy six-goal defeat against Zhlobin. Molodechno showed more resilience, beating Gomel 2-1 after losing to them 3-4 in their previous meeting. The relationship has soured between those two, you could say.

Both sides have played five games already this season. Neman's record reads one win and four losses. Molodechno have three victories and two defeats. The gap between them isn't vast, but it's enough to separate fifth from twelfth.