© EuroFootball.com
In the last season, there were only nine left, but this year the footballers of "Šiauliai," who are at the top of the tournament table, once again proved that their home is their fortress. On Sunday, the previous season's bronze medalists, the footballers of Marijampolė's "Sūduva," suffered a defeat with a score of 2-1.
Šiauliai city stadium, 1500 spectators Referee - Viktoras Chileckis 2 - 1 Marijampolė's 8` [1 - 0] Ilja Galyuza (11 m.) 41` [2 - 0] Gediminas Butavičius 67` [2 - 1] Karolis Jasaitis
Home team broke ahead as early as the eighth minute of the match when Gediminas Butavičius' earned 11-meter penalty was successfully converted by Ukrainian Ilja Galyuza, who became the top scorer of the "A Lyga." After this goal, "Šiauliai" did not retreat into defense and continued to attack, but the playing field, which both coaches referred to as "tough" after the match, influenced the game of both teams.
Although in the first half, one team or the other had the initiative, as the half approached the end, the hosts doubled their lead with G. Butavičius scoring on his own after a defensive error.
In the second half, both teams played actively, and around the middle of it, Karolis Jasaitis, who played for "Žalgiris" last season, scored with a high trajectory shot from about 30 meters that beat the "Šiauliai" goalkeeper. After this goal, the guests took the initiative into their own hands and had several opportunities to score, but "Šiauliai" also could have taken advantage: as the match drew to a close, G. Butavičius missed the goal from a few meters away in one situation, and a few minutes later, I. Galyuza missed the ball in front of the goal.
After the match, "Šiauliai" coach Saulius Vertelis was satisfied with the game of his players and their desire to fight, especially with the result.
"Our main goal was not to lose. I am absolutely satisfied with the first half, the players fulfilled all the tasks, created a lot of opportunities to score, but unfortunately, we did not capitalize on them," said Vertelis. "In the second half, we looked good, but when we conceded a goal, we could have soon conceded another. During the break, I warned the players not to shoot from far away because the wind was blowing, and they have players who can score. And that's what happened."
Meanwhile, after the match, "Sūduva" coach Algimantas Gabrys did not hesitate to use stronger words about his team's players: "The match was nervy, tense, the field was 'tough.' Our defenders made childish mistakes. We did not take advantage of three excellent chances when the score was 2-1."
"I am very unsatisfied with our team's game," Gabrys continued. "I wouldn't make such mistakes. The defender 'rejects' the ball to the forward who runs away with it. It's a tragedy. Since we have nothing in attack, we have to defend, and ultimately, we fall into a pit. Such mistakes, when opponents shoot from a few meters, cannot be made."
Coach's comments audio recordings in .mp3 format: Algimantas Gabrys' commentary on the match Algimantas Gabrys' commentary on the match (Part II) Saulius Vertelis' commentary on the match
