After demonstrating a great game in attack, Pakruojis' "Kruoja" continued their winning streak in the "SMScredit.lt A League" championship to four victories. The team from northern Lithuania, currently occupying the third place, defeated Gargzdai's "Banga" away with a minimal score of 1:0 (0:0) and prevented "Trakai" from moving away in the tournament table. The crisis of Gargzdai's team, experiencing their seventh consecutive failure, continues.
In the first half, the sparse audience at the Gargzdai city stadium witnessed a tight match without any particularly dangerous moments. Both teams focused on their goalkeeping security, while trying to utilize fast counterattack opportunities in attack, also attempting their luck with long-range shots.
The first dangerous shot from a distance came in the 3rd minute threatening the goal, from Nerijus Mačiulis. The precise shot was just missing centimeters, so Šarūnas Jurevičius was forced to follow the ball flying beside the goal with a dive.
"Banga" responded with a dangerous set-piece in the 12th minute, as Eivinas Zagurskas powerfully headed the ball into the net after a high delivery from Artiomas Stiožka, sending the ball over the crossbar.
Two minutes later, Arturas Syrikas had a moment. Confusing goalkeeper Donatas Strockis with his individual actions, the Gargzdai player forced Martynas Matuzas to demonstrate skill, as he managed to catch the ball after a slight deflection.
In the middle of the half, N. Mačiulis sent the ball into the penalty area after a scramble in the middle of the field. Tomas Birškys found an opportunity for a shot in the box, but from a rather comfortable position, he failed to hit the target.
After a brief but strong rain, players from both teams started shooting more frequently from a distance, hoping that the wet ball would deceive the goalkeepers. Notable were the strong attempts from Darius Jankauskas, E. Zagurskas, and A. Syrikas.
In the second half, the scenery on the field remained unchanged. The brief appearance of the sun did not help the teams improve their attacks. Long shots towards the goal from Alfredas Skroblas and Valerijus Makijevas missed the target.
In the 62nd minute, Robertas Vėževičius missed a golden opportunity for "Kruoja" after breaking through. The defender avoided the offside trap and remained completely free in the penalty area, but his shot was very poor, going straight to the opponent's goalkeeper.
Aivaras Bagočius, who appeared on the field, actively joined Pakruojis' team play. Breaking through on the right flank in the 77th minute, he made a dangerous pass into the open space in the penalty area, but there was no teammate there. Ričardas Beniušis was the first to reach the ball, but the defenders prevented the striker from shooting reliably.
However, the substitution by "Kruoja" coach Vladimiras Čeburinas was successful. After a prolonged attack by the visitors, it was A. Bagočius who scored the winning goal with an unexpected long shot in the 83rd minute. The ball flew directly towards Š. Jurevičius and the goalkeeper couldn't save the team.
After the goal, the home team fans cheered, dedicating their chants to the Gargzdai's team coach. During the remaining time, "Banga" tried to at least secure a draw, but they couldn't create any dangerous moments. Pakruojis' defense played very carefully and after a long break, they kept their goal dry.
Result:
Gargzdai "Banga" 0 - 1 Pakruojis "Kruoja"
83' [0 - 1] A. Bagočius
Tournament table:
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