BATE v Everton 1/10/2009

[thetoffees]

So another step into the unknown as our European tour arrives in Belarus to play the curiously titled BATE Borisov.

Anyone know much about our opponents?

Can't say I do, and with all the travelling involved I'd be grateful if we could nick a 1-0 and get the hell out of there.

Predictions?

[Tony Dellbird]

Wasn't this the team that did well in the Champions League last year, going in as massive underdogs then shocking a few teams? I've heard of the team and don't take them lightly at all. Yet still think we should be able to nick it 1-0. Could be tough away from home though.

EDIT: They held Juventus to draws home and away and Zenit, so not bad at all!

[Tony Dellbird]

Wasn't this the team that did well in the Champions League last year, going in as massive underdogs then shocking a few teams? I've heard of the team and don't take them lightly at all. Yet still think we should be able to nick it 1-0. Could be tough away from home though.

EDIT: They held Juventus to draws home and away and Zenit, so not bad at all!

[EvertonChris]

Everton manager David Moyes has warned his depleted side they face a stiff test against BATE Borisov in the Europa League on Thursday.

Moyes is looking to build on the comfortable victory over AEK Athens at the start of the group stages.

However he will be without nine first team members at the Dinamo Stadium in Minsk.

BATE lost to Benfica last time out but Moyes believes their record in the Champions League last season deserves respect.

They upset the odds to reach the group stages where they managed to draw twice against Juventus as well as finishing all square with Zenit St Petersburg.

Moyes said: "We would like to get something from the game but I can't stress enough how much a really tough match this is for us.

"If anyone is coming here thinking 'BATE who' then they are in for a big shock.

"We watched them against Benfica and they are a decent side with a lot of energy. They are very good going forward and can cause problems.

"The priority is to try and win the group. I see Benfica and BATE as our main threats."

Promising midfielder Jack Rodwell is the latest to be sidelined and did not travel with the group to Belarus.

Instead he remained at home to rest up and recover from flu symptoms.

South African winger Steven Pienaar was also, as expected, absent with a knee injury.

The setback occured following a challenge by Portsmouth's Aaron Mokoena - his national team captain - in the victory at Fratton Park at the weekend.

In-form Louis Saha is suspended while recent arrivals John Heitinga and Lucas Neill are both inelegible.

With Phil Neville, Phil Jagielka, Mikel Arteta and Victor Anichibe all long-time injury absentees, Moyes is down on numbers.

Moyes said: "While it is disapppointing we don't have the pick of all our players that doesn't make our involvement any less enjoyable.

"It (Europe) is something that we as a club always wanted. Finishing fifth last season and qualifying was a great achievement for us, so I am really looking forward to this match."

Defender Joseph Yobo hopes the team maintain a proud record against BATE. Everton have not conceded a goal in 371 minutes and the Nigerian is anxious for the run to continue.

Yobo, acting as captain in the absence of Neville, said: "We know if we can keep clean sheets we can go on and win games.

"It is something we want to continue as it is a very important aspect of the game.

"We are back on track now and doing pretty good, so we are looking forward to this match."

Yobo's partnership with Sylvain Distin, who arrived in the summer from Portsmouth, is beginning to blossom.

The pair have picked up the baton following the departure of Joleon Lescott to Manchester City and the absence of Jagielka.

Distin, who has also worn the colours of Manchester City and Newcastle, has slotted in quickly according to Yobo.

He said: "Sylvain is a quality player and very experienced. He is now settling down and that is helping us.

"We already have a good understanding and keeping clean sheets is building our confidence. Hopefully we will keep improving."

Yobo added: "BATE have played in the Champions League and will want to use this to their advantage. We will have to be on our guard."

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cups/uefacup/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/09/30/SOCCER_Everton_Nightlead.html

[thetoffees]

I'm worried after reading that!

Especially with all our injuries, the squad is being stretched already.

In order to progress we have to aim to win all of our home matches and try to avoid defeat in two of our away games, a draw tonight would not be a bad result.

[BuddhaNYC]

anyone know and good feeds that will show the game?

[Slater582]

It's on ESPN in the UK (one of the few channels I don't have :() so there might be streams around, not necessarily of good quality though...

Team is...

Howard

Gosling - Hibbert - Distin - Baines

Osman - Cahill - Fellaini - Bilyaletdinov

Jo - Yakubu

Subs: Nash, Duffy, Agard, Baxter, Wallace, Mustafi, Akpan.

Yobo picked up a thigh problem before the game, meaning it's 10 players out for Moyes. :eek:

So teenager Gosling at right back, Hibbert starts in the center...

[CobrasCiudadJuarez]

Bilyaletdinov hits the post!!

[CobrasCiudadJuarez]

Rats......Goal for BATE. number 2 scores a screamer from 30 meters.....1-0 BATE

[Slater582]

Oh my, what a strike that was.

Announcers think Fellaini was a bit lazy in closing down the shot.

[TOTOMUNDI]

Great goal

But I think that Everton will win it 1-2

TOTOMUNDI (http://www.totomundi.com)

[CobrasCiudadJuarez]

In case anyone was wondering, Leon Osman is the captain.

[CobrasCiudadJuarez]

Jo seems to have picked up an injury.

[CobrasCiudadJuarez]

Half time.

[JasonD]

How have we looked?

[CobrasCiudadJuarez]

How have we looked?

Have had chances, but just haven't been able to convert. Billy hit the post and Cahill couldn't get a shot and header on target. The defence apart from the goal, is doing really well. Overall, I would say if Everton keep playing the way they are playing, I wouldn't be surprised if they pulled of a tie or maybe even the win.

[Xenimus]

A bit of a drab match so far, I've been watching it here: http://www.atdhe.net/9511/watch-bate-borisov-vs-everton

[TOTOMUNDI]

Not loooking good but hopefully Everton will get a late equaliser. Hope for a Cahill header

TOTOMUNDI (http://ww.totomundi.com)

[CobrasCiudadJuarez]

Yellow card for BATE's number 4

[Xenimus]

That was a definite yellow, did he even go for the ball?