The „Euro 2016“ qualifying matches were a great opportunity for the members of the Lithuanian national football team to showcase themselves to the scouts of the most famous clubs, but the players did not take advantage of it. The England national team made the Lithuanians look completely hopeless at the legendary Wembley stadium when they were defeated 4-0 on Friday.
However, BBC „Radio 5“ commentator John Murray, when asked whether any of the Lithuanian players could ever score in the English „Premier“ league, pointed at Giedrius Arlauskis.
„He looked the best of the Lithuanians. If I had to choose, it would be G.Arlauskis. I think he looked the strongest and had a big impact on the outcome of the match. The goalkeeper greatly helped the defenders“, said J. Murray, adding that he did not see Arvydas Novikovas, who did not play due to injury.
It is precisely in football circles that rumors are circulating that G. Arlauskis will soon leave the Bucharest „Steaua“ club, with potential employers including English clubs. However, from a lower league, the „Championship“.
„My dream league is England. If I could go there and sign a contract, I could say that I fulfilled my childhood dream“, G.Arlauskis has said to „Lietuvos rytas“.
Hoped for more, but not considered underdogs
Before the match, J. Murray carefully studied Lithuanian surnames and did not hide that he hoped for a victory, but the action on the field surprised him.
„Very disappointing– the commentator talked about the Lithuanians. – It was the first time I saw the Lithuanian team live. Before that, I watched summaries of several matches. From the beginning, it felt like the Lithuanians were completely frozen, slow. Your team started poorly, and the English made them pay for it. A quick goal for the England team was very important.“
The Lithuanian national team is the second Baltic state team that J. Murray watched live. On October 12, England played the E group match against Estonian footballers. Wayne Rooney scored a goal for the Estonians in the sixth minute.
Rooney scored for the Estonians only in the 74th minute.
„It is really difficult to compare, because we saw Lithuania at Wembley stadium, and the Estonians played at home. In those matches, the English played well in the first 20 minutes. Their pace and game were similar to what was shown in these matches, but the English failed to score a quick goal. This hurt the team. The game was not as good, mistakes appeared. Later, of course, the English managed to score. That was the biggest difference“, J. Murray said.
In group E, the Lithuanians are in 4th place. The Lithuanian national team has won 2-0 against San Marino and 1-0 against Estonian footballers. In the other three matches, Lithuania lost. Igoris Pankratjevas' team lost 0-2 to the Slovenians and was defeated 0-4 by the Swiss footballers.
„Now I have seen all the teams with which the English will play once again. I think the Lithuanians play well enough to be ranked higher than 5-6 places“, said J. Murray.
Martynas Suslavičius, lrytas.lt
