MINSK, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Belarusian football club BATE Borisov played a 1-1 draw with the Ukrainian Alexandria in the first leg of League of Europe playoffs on Thursday evening.
On home Borisov-Arena, the Belarusians scored in the eighth minute after Igor Stasevich sent the ball to the center where Mikhail Gordeychuk found Mirko Ivanich who put it into the corner with an accurate shot.
At the 20th minute, the Ukrainians scored the equalizer through Eugene Banada from close range after the home defense was sliced open completely.
After the half break, both sides failed to score anymore. BATE's Ivanich was close to make the double, but his shot hit the crossbar.
With an effective away draw, the Ukrainians will have enough a goalless tie to reach the group stage.
The second leg will be held on August 24 in Ukraine.
