© EuroFootball.com
In the 12th round duel, the leaders of the A league - "Kaunas” and "Vilnius” football players clashed. Victory was extremely important for both sides: for "Kaunas” it would have strengthened their position as leaders, while for "Vilnius”, a victory over "Kaunas” would have lifted them to the first place. The match ended with a minimal victory for the Lithuanian champions.
S.Darius and S.Girenas Stadium in Kaunas, 2000 spectators
Referee - Audrius Žuta
1 - 0
63' [1 - 0] Mindaugas Grigalevičius
"Kaunas”: Malinauskas; Kunevičius, Radžius, Bagužis, Mrowiec; Manchkava (80' Kšanavičius), D.Sanajevas, Kvaratskhelia (55' Strakhanovic), Mendy; Beniušis (23' Grigalevičius), Ledesma
"Vilnius”: Leus; Radavičius, Artiomovas, Rodnei, Freidgeimas (79' Laurišas); Paulinho, Erasmo, Andreson, Lukša; Muller (90' Wasiu), Kleyr
Even though it was hot all day, in the evening, when the match was played, the weather became ideal for football.
It was visible on the pitch that both teams were fighting only for victory. There was no lack of tough battles, breaks in the game due to rough play, and many yellow cards were shown.
The match started more actively for "Kaunas” and already in the second minute of the match had an opportunity to change the score in their favor. After a corner kick lifted by Rafael Ledesma, the top scorer of the league, Ričardas Beniušis, headed dangerously, but the ball flew a few centimeters off the crossbar.
A few minutes later, R. Beniušis was harshly stopped in the middle of the field. Despite the injury, the captain of "Kaunas” decided to continue playing even feeling the pain. Due to a serious mistake by the "Vilnius” defenders, the league's top scorer could have scored a goal, but the ball hit the crossbar.
However, in the 24th minute, R. Beniušis was substituted due to an injury suffered at the beginning of the match. Mindaugas Grigalevičius appeared in his place.
After these dangerous episodes, "Vilnius” seized the initiative. Tension was created near Mindaugas Malinauskas' goal when the ball was passed to Muller from the depth of the field, but he lacked speed. Shortly after, Rodnei had his chance. Left free, the "Vilnius” defender shot at goal from 20 meters, but the strong shot flew into the stands.
In the 34th minute, "Vilnius” created probably their best chance in the match: Brazilian Kleyras ran one-on-one with M. Malinauskas, but the latter managed to kick the ball away, Muller repeated the shot, but it was off target.
Soon, "Vilnius” completely took control of the match. Their game was visibly faster, more precise, sharper, while "Kaunas” only occasionally managed to keep possession longer.
As the first half was coming to an end, Muller "sneaked" the ball past the defenders, but M. Malinauskas was once again first to the ball.
At the end of the first half, "Kaunas” regained composure. A few minutes after Muller's attack, "Kaunas”' Brazilian R. Ledesma hit the ball well, but the shot was not very successful. A minute later, Georgian Nukri Manchkhava broke through on the left side and passed the ball to Mindaugas Grigalevičius, but his shot was imprecise.
The second half started with active and open play from both teams, but no one managed to score right at the beginning. A dangerous breakthrough by M. Grigalevičius, stopped by "Vilnius” defense, Muller's raid, stopped by G. Kvaratskhelia's interception.
In the 59th minute, "Kaunas” defender Mindaugas Bagužis made a serious mistake when he inaccurately passed the ball to the active Muller, but the Brazilian failed to pass the ball to his teammate, making it an easy prey for M. Malinauskas.
But the only goal of the match soon fell into the visitors' net: after a corner kick lifted by "Kaunas” set-piece specialist R. Ledesma, M. Grigalevičius scored with a header.
A few minutes later, the score could have doubled - Mindaugas Bagužis dangerously headed the ball, but his shot went wide.
Soon, "Vilnius” took control of the ball. In the 70th minute, Muller made a very dangerous header after a pass from the left, but M. Malinauskas saved "Kaunas” once again. "Vilnius” continued to try to equalize the score with all their might, but "Kaunas” defense played reliably and did not allow dangerous situations to arise.
The beautiful match ended with a 1-0 victory for "Kaunas”, allowing the Kaunas team to increase their lead over second-placed "Vilnius” to five points.
