© EuroFootball.com
Last season, the two teams that fiercely fought for third place in the "A lyga" met on Sunday in the 3rd round of the Lithuanian Championship - in Marijampolė, "Sūduva" hosted Vilnius "Vėtra" and, supported by a large crowd of spectators, defeated the opponents 1-0.
Marijampolė "Sūduva" stadium, 2400 spectators
Referee - Edmundas Gaigalas
1 - 0
59' [1 - 0] Otavio Augusto Braga
"Sūduva": S.Klevinskas; Sobol, Mikuckis, M.Skinderis, V.Slavickas; Maciulevičius (74' G.Klevinskas), Mačiulis (83' A.Milevskiy), Miklinevičius, Kozyuberda; Willer, Braga (77' G.Juška)
"Vėtra": Žutautas; Sulejmanovič, Jankauskas, Budimir, Skerla, Pedro; Panka, Raliukonis, Butrimavičius (70' Azizi); Severino (65' Juška), Stankevičius (81' Karčemarskas)
The Skopje guards Dejan Milošeskis and Bobis Božinovskis could not help the Vilnius team due to injuries. The leader Darius Maciulevičius returned to the field for "Sūduva" after an injury.
The first dangerous opportunity was created by the hosts. In the 15th minute, Sergejus Kozyberda could have scored, but the "Sūduva" player missed the goal from a comfortable position.
In the 32nd minute, a great opportunity was had by one "Vėtra" forward Lima Severino, but he failed to score, as goalkeeper Saulius Klevinskas saved the hosts from his shot.
"Sūduva" had the initiative and after another seven minutes, "Sūduva" legionnaire Willer Oliveira's penalty kick forced the "Vėtra" goalkeeper Vaidas Žutautas to make a save.
However, in the 59th minute, Marijampolė broke through 1-0 - after a corner kick, Ottavio Braga directed the ball into the goal, and D.Maciulevičius secured the shot.
In the 76th minute, "Sūduva" launched a dangerous counterattack and the guests were saved by goalkeeper S.Klevinskas from Nerijus Mačiulis' shot.
With ten minutes left until the end of the match, "Vėtra" players started to attack more. In the 83rd minute after a corner near the hosts' goal, Julius Raliukonis accurately passed the ball to Algirdas Jankauskas, but the defender's shot from eleven meters was inaccurate - the ball flew over the goal.
"Sūduva" could have also increased their lead, but the crossbar saved "Vėtra" after a corner. Until the final referee's whistle, the result remained the same - "Sūduva" defeated "Vėtra" with a score of 1-0.
Marijampolė coach Algimantas Gabrys was very pleased with his team's performance after the match and praised D.Maciulevičius, who returned to the lineup.
"The match was successful. We had the initiative throughout the game. We planned to attack the opponent from the first minutes, not letting them play freely. Today we won the midfield, which we failed to do in the match against "Žalgiris". Darius Maciulevicius' involvement in the game was really great. Just his touch on the ball posed a danger to the opponents. The team played well, especially in the first half," - said A.Gabrys.
"At the end, there was a bit of fatigue, which allowed the opponents to create opportunities near our goal. I am happy with the result and the team's performance. But there are still some rough edges in the team's play. The guys understand this. I hope we will play even better in the future. These matches showed many good aspects of the team's play. I want to thank the fans for their support, for their understanding. Today, their support was like having a twelfth player. If such support continues, then the team's results will be good," - assured the "Sūduva" coach.
"Vėtra" coach Aleksandras Tarchanovas had a slightly different opinion and stated that his team deserved a draw, but admitted that his players did not play their best match.
"The game was even. Despite the poor quality of the field, the game was interesting. It was a match between two teams that promote combination play. It was enjoyable to watch. We created several moments that we failed to capitalize on. In terms of play, in my opinion, it was supposed to be a draw. A controversial moment was when our player fell in the "Sūduva" penalty area. Not all our players are in top form. Butrimavičius does not play the game he should, and I expect more from other players," - said A.Tarchanovas.
