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The "Žalgiris" team of Vilnius City Football Association secured a victory on Thursday in Ireland, opening the doors to the second round of the Europa League qualification.
Supported by a large group of Lithuanians gathered at the "Richmond Park" stadium in Dublin, the Žalgiris team defeated the local "Saint Patrick's Athletic" footballers with a score of 2:1 (0:0).
Last week's first leg match in Vilnius ended in a high-scoring 2:2 draw.
The duel in Ireland unfolded more successfully for the green-and-white. From the very first minute of the match, the Vilnius players patiently focused on defense and awaited the opponents' mistakes.
The capital's team scored just before halftime for the first time. In added time, Mantas Kuklys scored a precise shot to put the visitors ahead.
At the beginning of the second half, the goalkeeper inspired the second successful attack for "Žalgiris." Breaking through on the right wing, the footballer made a great pass into the penalty area for Kamilius Bilinskis, who defeated the Irish team's goalkeeper from a few meters away.
After recovering from a deep slump, the hosts regained hope of survival in this match in the 85th minute. Taking advantage of a penalty in the penalty area, the Irishmen used the opportunity to reduce the deficit with a penalty kick. Killian Brennan did not miss from the 11-meter mark.
Showing a solid end to the match, the Žalgiris players did not give up the initiative to the "Saint Patrick's Athletic" team desperately seeking a draw. Neutralizing all the final opponent's attacks, the Vilnius players joyfully celebrated the deservedly earned victory at the final whistle.
"Saint Patrick's Athletic" 1 - 2 "Žalgiris" 45+2 [0 - 1] M. Kuklys 51' [0 - 2] K. Bilinskis 85' [1 - 2] K. Brennanas (from 11 m.)
Yellow cards: Kenny Browne (11 min.), Aidanas Price; Ramūnas Radavičius (21 min.), Artūras Žulpa (57 min.), Egidijus Vaitkūnas (73 min.), Mantas Kuklys (86 min.).
VMFD "Žalgiris": Armantas Vitkauskas, Egidijus Vaitkūnas, Luka Peričius, Andrius Skerla, Vaidotas Šilėnas (67' Paulius Janušauskas), Ramūnas Radavičius (46' Rytis Leliūga), Pavelas Komolovas (78' Eivinas Zagurskas), Artūras Žulpa, Mantas Kuklys, Andro Švrljuga, Kamilis Bilinskis.
"Saint Patrick's Athletic": Brendanas Clarke, Gerard O'Brien, Conor Kenna, Kenny Browne, Ian Bermingham, Greg Bolger, Killian Brennan, John Russell (86' Jake Kelly), Conan Byrne (60' Aidan Price), Christopher Forrester (60' Anthony Flood), Christopher Fagan.
