First step towards A League: 'Be1' players, who played more than half the match with fewer players, defeated 'Sūduva'

2024-11-17 16:51 © V. Kuralavičiaus

The first match of the promotion playoff series was held in Jonava between the "Be1" team, which secured a silver position in the "TOPsport First League," and Marijampolė's "Sūduva," which finished in 9th place in the Lithuanian Championship. Demonstrating fighting spirit, the hosts managed to secure a victory with a score of 2:1 (1:0).

In the fall, Marijampolė again faced a poor start to the encounter, as Majeedas Issah accurately sent the ball into the net with a single touch after a corner kick in the 13th minute. The guests only took a more noticeable initiative in the middle of the half.

Nikolajus Solodovnikovas shot straight at Dominykas Valeckas, and shortly after, the goalkeeper could not catch the same legionnaire from Moldova kicking the ball, but Motiejus Burba did not take advantage of his chance. The Marijampolė club gained an advantage starting from the 38th minute, as "Be1" team's attacking leader Ernestas Mickevičius was sent off the pitch after an unsportsmanlike act against Tautvydas Burdzilauskas.

In the tenth minute of play, the hosts heroically defended themselves, but in the 78th minute, after a pass from the left flank, Motiejus Burba managed to direct the ball into the net. However, just a few seconds later, after coming on as a substitute and playing for some time with his head bandaged, Josue Doke brought the "Be1" team back into the lead with a beautiful long-range shot.

Among the Marijampolė players, Ugochukwu Oduenyi notably threatened with headers three times, yet in every situation, the goalkeeper Dominykas Valeckas performed excellently. N. Solodovnikovas also failed to utilize his chances.