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Panevėžio "Ekrano" team beat Dublin's "Shamrock Rovers" 2-1 and advanced to the third stage of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
In it, Lithuanian champions will test themselves against the Belgian champions, Brussels' "Anderlecht". The first leg will be played away in Belgium on July 30/August 1, with the second leg at home on August 7/8.
The first half of the match in Panevėžys started cautiously, with neither team rushing to attack. Soon the hosts gained confidence and took the initiative. A great opportunity in the 21st minute was missed by Vytautas Lukša, who found himself alone in front of the goal after a pass from Aurimas Kučys, but his shot was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper.
The Ekrano team controlled the ball more often, while the opponents wasted energy defending and did not pose a threat when attacking.
As the first half approached its end, after a foul against Giedrius Tomkevičius, in the last minute of the first half the Ekrano team had a chance to capitalize on a set piece. Despite Ireland's defense after the initial pass, G. Tomkevičius again crossed the ball from the right wing towards the goal, where Marko Andelkovič rushed and headed the ball accurately into the net.
Shortly after the goal, the referee blew the whistle for the end of the first half. At the start of the second half, the Ekrano team again controlled the ball longer and organized more dangerous attacks than the Irish team.
However, in the 47th minute, Ekrano defenders missed B. Dennehy, who failed to stop the ball near the goalkeeper's penalty area, which could have been a dangerous situation.
In the 53rd minute, Egidijus Varnas had a chance after a pass from Aurimas Vertelis, but his shot from 10 meters was saved by the goalkeeper. Moments later, the Irish lost the ball in midfield and M. Andelkovič started a quick and dangerous attack, but he was soon illegally stopped. K. Brennan received a yellow card.
The secure play brought the desired result. Another attack, with the ball on the right, reached Žilvinas Kymantas, who deceived the opponent, approached the opponent's penalty area, and kicked the ball into the net with his left foot! This was his debut goal in both the Ekrano team and the prestigious UEFA Champions League tournament.
After the goal, the opponents made several changes and tried hard to change the situation. There were no big chances, and "Ekranas" successfully defended.
However, already in added time, the referee awarded a penalty to the Panevėžys team. After a handball by substitute Edwin Girdvainis, the ball unexpectedly touched his hand and the referee gave the opponents a chance. G. McCabe did not miss and scored accurately from the penalty spot.
The last minute was very tense, with the seconds ticking slowly. The referee soon blew the whistle, declaring Ekrano's victory and their further path to the third round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
Statistics
"Ekranas" 2 - 1 "Shamrock Rovers"
45' [1 - 0] M. Andelkovič
63' [2 - 0] Ž.Kymantas
90' [2 - 1] G. McCabe (from the penalty spot)
