Belarus blanks Albania in qualifying

Vitali Rodionov scored early in the first half and substitute Sergei Krivets added another goal midway through the second to give Belarus a 2-0 win over Albania on Tuesday in a European Championship qualifier.

Rodionov opened the scoring from a rebound in the 10th minute when Albania goalkeeper Arjan Beqaj failed to control the ball after Yan Tigorev's low drive from 20 yards (meters).

Belarus controlled the game and constantly threatened the visitors. Rodionov was close to doubling the lead in the 32nd but his lob from 14 yards shaved the crossbar.

Albania had its first clear chance in the 36th when Klodian Duro forced Yuri Zhevnov to save a powerful shot from 16 yards after Ervin Skela's cross from the left.

Both teams came close several times before Krivets came on for Aleksandr Kulchiy in the 75th and made it 2-0 two minutes later, heading Timofei Kalachev's pass past Beqaj.

Albania was reduced to 10 men after Armend Dallku was sent off for his second yellow card one minute into injury time.

The win gives Belarus eight points from four games in Group D.

France has six points and a game in hand. Albania is third with five.

The two teams will meet again on March 26.

Lineups:

Belarus: Yuri Zhevnov, Aleksandr Kulchiy (Sergei Krivets, 75), Aleksandr Martynovich, Timofei Kalachev, Sergei Omelyanchuk, Yan Tigorev, Anton Putilo ( Vyacheslav Hleb, 81), Sergei Kislyak, Igor Shitov, Vitali Rodionov, Dmitri Molosh (Aleksandr Yurevich, 87).

Albania: Arjan Beqaj, Andi Lila, Kristi Vangjeli, Armend Dallku, Ansi Agolli, Ervin Bulku (Gjergj Muzaka, 59), Klodian Duro, Ervin Skela (Edmond Kapllani, 81), Admir Teli, Gilman Lika (Elis Bakaj, 76), Hamdi Salihi.