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UEFA Cup tournament started unsuccessfully for both Lithuanian clubs - after a defeat at home, "Ekrantas" had to acknowledge the advantage of opponents from the British Isles, and Klaipėda, Wales, fell to "Rhyl" team with a one-goal margin, marking their first victory in a European tournament.
"Rhyl" 2 - 1 "Atlantas" 12' [1 - 0] George Horan 70' [2 - 0] Lee Hunt 77' [2 - 1] Rimantas Žvingilas 72' Kazimieras Gnedojus ("Atlantas") sent off
"Atlantas": Lekevičius; Deveika, Maciulevičius, Gnedojus, Žukauskas; Žernys (46' Žvingilas), Bartkus, Ksanavičius, Petreikis; Trakys, Laurišas
Having already suffered four defeats in a row in the "A Lyga" championship, the recent poor-performing Klaipėda team started their match in Wales after the end of "Ekrantas" competition in Panevėžys. However, they did not yet know that defeat awaited them away.
At the beginning of the match, the visitors had more ball control, but in the 12th minute, "Rhyl" took the lead - G.Horan scored a header after a corner. "Atlantas" tried to equalize, but G.McGuigan, the goalkeeper, defended well against a shot from A.Kšanavičius from close range.
Later, A.Lekevičius had work to do, saving a shot from Adamson, and on the other side of the field, after K.Deveika's pass, A.Petreikis headed the ball just wide of the goal. "Rhyl" maintained the lead and doubled it midway through the second half - this time L.Hunt sent the ball into A.Lekevičius' goal.
Shortly after that, the Klaipėda team's defender K.Gnedojus could not handle the tension, and the match referee from Turkey, Cemas Papila, sent him off the field for a second yellow card. The ball struck by Horan hit the crossbar. However, "Atlantas" did not give up, and five minutes after the substitution, experienced R.Žvingilas reduced the lead.
"Atlantas" had to acknowledge the opponents' advantage with a score of 2-1, but unlike "Ekrantas," they scored an important goal away and will seek revenge with a minimal margin at the home stadium of the port city "Žalgiris."
