D. Lastauskas: 'A serious challenge awaits'

2024-11-17 11:42 © V. Kuralavičiaus

Today at 14:30, the series of playoff matches for the right to play in the "TOPsport A League" next season will begin at the Jonava Central Stadium, featuring the local "Be1" team against Marijampolė's "Sūduva".

"Sūduva" finished in 9th place in the country's top league, while "Be1" was second in the "TOPsport First League".

The Jonava team collected 63 points over 30 rounds and only allowed 74 points scored by Vilnius' "Riteriai", who earned a direct ticket to the country's elite group (where they will replace the last-placed Vilnius region's "Transinvest").

"Sūduva" head coach Dovydas Lastauskas stated before the matches that a tough fight is expected, as a year ago "Be1" posed a serious challenge to Telšiai's "Džiugas" in a similar series. The first match in Kaunas ended in a 1:1 draw, and at home, the Žemaitija team won 1:0.

"We will meet a young and ambitious team, from which we expect a very serious challenge. Despite having many promising players, "Be1” maintains its style of play and likes to play with the ball a lot. The team is aggressive in attacks and very disciplined in defense,” said D. Lastauskas. "The fact that they have finished second in the league with a young team for two consecutive years speaks volumes. An even better proof is last year's playoff matches with "Džiugas,” where they certainly could have achieved a better result. Our preparation has been maximally focused because the significance of these matches is enormous for me, the players, and the whole club.”

The foundation of the "Be1" team consists of young footballers, but standing out in the attack is 28-year-old Ernestas Mickevičius. The former "Kauno Žalgiris" player has sent the ball into the opponents' net 18 times this year.

"The opponents' team has an excellent coach who has instilled his style of play; the captain Domas Slendzoka, Eduardas Jurjonas, Denisas Ževžikovas, Skirmantas Paukštys, Matas Dedura, and all the foreigners are making significant strides into men's football for the "Be1" team,” outlined "Sūduva" head coach. "A tough fight awaits us, and we are preparing for it. We also hope for strong support from our fans, similar to what we had in our last away match against "Kauno Žalgiris." This is a great inspiration and momentum for us.”

Today's match will be officiated by referee Donatas Šimėnas, with assistants Laurynas Aržuolaitis and Aleksandras Radiušas.

The second match will be played on November 23 at 15:00 in the Marijampolė Football Arena's indoor stadium.