© EuroFootball.com
On Thursday, Pakruojo "Kruoja" for the first time in the club's history defeated Alytaus "Dainava" 2-0 (2-0) at their stadium and regained the third position in the A League. The goals were scored by Sergėjus Žygalovas (23rd minute) and Ernestas Veliulis (31st minute).
The goals were scored in the first half.
The host "Kruoja" started the match actively and immediately showed that they were the favorites. Controlling the ball more, the team from Pakruojis scored the first goal in the 23rd minute, when Žygalovas sent the ball into the net from the right side (1:0).
The second accurate strike did not take long to wait for. Shortly after, Gvidas Juška took advantage of Valerijus Čistjakovas' pass from the right. The football player received the ball right in front of the goal and defeated "Dainava's" goalkeeper Aurimas Dubickas. The goal was not celebrated for long as the referee Saulius Atmanavičius flagged an offside.
No rules were broken in the 31st minute when the attack on the left side was finished with a precise and beautiful shot by E. Veliulis (2:0).
After the break, "Kruoja" gave up the initiative and could have been punished. One-on-one against the goalkeeper, “Dainava's” defender Valentinas Baranovskis got the upper hand. The duel between Alytus and "Kruoja’s" goalkeeper Mario Eltermanis was won by the latter. Pakruojis team also had their chances, creating threatening counter-attacks, in after which only a little was missing for the ball to end up in "Dainava's" goal.
In the 87th minute, Alytus' chances were erased by Ruslan Kliukoičio receiving a second yellow card. "Dainava's" defender had previously defended "Kruoja’s" honor.
Re-writing history.
"Finally, we won against 'Dainava.' We have never succeeded in doing that before. Today we entered the field ready for a serious fight, we wanted to win," said E. Veliulis after the match.
According to R. Kliukoičio, the red card was due to excessive desire and tension, playing against the former team. "Kruoja" was stronger," admitted "Dainava's" defender.
According to "Kruoja's" head coach Aidas Dambrauskas, the historic victory of "Kruoja" is very important psychologically: "It's great that we finally achieved a victory at home. After the match against "Šiauliai," it seemed like our field was cursed. We had many opportunities, but the finishing was poor. However, the championship is long, so we look forward to the next matches."
Rimantas Bačinskas, the administrator of "Dainava," admitted that "Kruoja" was stronger, and it showed on the field: "I would like to praise my men for their fighting spirit. They gave their all."
