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Today, in the seventh group of the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, the Lithuanian national team started with a surprise and managed to get a draw away against Belgium.
In other group matches, Serbia and Montenegro crushed San Marino with a score of 3-0. Next Wednesday, Lithuania will host San Marino in Kaunas, while Spain will play against Bosnia and Herzegovina away.
Belgium 1 - 1 Lithuania 61' [1 - 0] 72' [1 - 1]
As expected from coach A. Liubinskas' speeches about attacking play, the Lithuanians started the match with three forwards, although Tomas Danilevičius played slightly withdrawn.
The Belgians started the match more actively, but the first goal attempts came from the Lithuanians, when Roberto Poškus had to deflect a penalty kick from their goalkeeper.
There was a lot of rough play in the middle of the field, and in the ninth minute, team captain Aurelijus Skarbalius had to leave the field, replaced by Igoris Morinas.
The "Red Devils" were especially dangerous with attacks on the wings and passes into the penalty area, as Wesley Sonck played well with his head, one shot narrowly missing the goal post.
Shortly after, the Lithuanians responded with a dangerous attack - Poškus broke away from a defender and took a shot, but unfortunately, the ball went straight to the goalkeeper. At the end of the first half, Poškus had another chance, when Morinas passed the ball after a corner kick, but the striker failed to score.
The hosts started the second half determinedly, and the Lithuanians struggled to defend. Bart Goor was very active, not only creating dangerous attacks but also feigning or provoking his opponents.
It became increasingly difficult for the referee to control the game, as he started making questionable decisions and allowed tempers to fray. In the 62nd minute, a penalty kick was awarded near the visitors' goal, and Sonckas sent the ball into the bottom corner from about 20 meters away.
The Lithuanian national team coach tries to revive the team's game - bringing in Mikoliūnas instead of Danilevičius. In the 72nd minute, Van Buyten made a mistake, Jankauskas received the ball and sent it into the corner of the net from 16 meters, equalizing the score.
Unhappy with this result, the hosts started pressing the opponents, Sonckas had a good chance after a corner kick, but luckily Karčemarskas caught his header on the line.
The siege of the Lithuanian goal continued, with Pieroni missing a couple of chances and Karčemarskas saving a shot from Van Buyten. The visitors had opportunities for counterattacks, with Poškus missing a shot beside the goal in one of them.
The referee added four minutes, during which the Lithuanians managed to withstand the opponent's attacks and secure their first point.
Team lineups:
Lithuania: Karčemarskas; Skarbalius (9' Morinas), Stankevičius, Skerla, Džiaukštas; E.Česnauskis, Vencevičius (58' Ražanauskas), Barasa; Danilevičius (66' Mikoliūnas), Poškus, Jankauskas.
Belgium: Peersman; Deflandre (46' Kompany), Simons, Van Buyten, Dheedene; Mpenza (22' Dufer), Clement, Vermant (73' Pieroni), Goor; Buffel, Sonck.
