© V. Kuralavičiaus
Xabi Auzmendi scored two goals with his head, while Marijampolė's "Sūduva" managed to deal with Alytus' "Dainava" resistance as guests with a score of 2:1 (2:0). This week, the Lithuanian vice-champions added their composition with the legendary Japanese football player Keisuke Honda, but it was decided not to register the player for the match in the capital of Dzūkija. Meanwhile, the residents of Marijampolė achieved a difficult, but important victory without his help. "Sūduva" imposed their game on the opponents from the beginning of the match and already in the ninth minute took the lead. After a pass from Yevheniy Yefremov from the right flank, X. Auzmendi exceeded the players surrounding him in the penalty area and struck a precise header.
After the scored goal, the guests maintained greater control of the ball, but "Dainava" was not willing to put down their weapons and close themselves in their penalty area. However, their attacks often faltered near the penalty area or due to inaccurate long passes. Victor Basadre's pupils, on the other hand, were more quality in their attacks and doubled their advantage in the 43rd minute. This time, X. Auzmendi shined again, successfully playing in the "second floor" and directing the ball with his head from the middle of the penalty area into the right corner of the goal.
After the break, "Dainava" tried to find opportunities to narrow the result. In the 59th minute, they missed a great opportunity when Evgeniy Terzis, unchallenged near the right pole, struck at goal, but Ivan Kardumas saved "Sūduva" from trouble. The guests tested Alytus with long shots more often - Serge Nyuiadzi and Giedrius Matulevičius ambitiously struck at the goal, but unsuccessfully. Meanwhile, in the 78th minute, perhaps the biggest fire near the "Sūduva" goal erupted. After a lifted corner kick, Akim Sairinen's shot from a few meters was blocked by I. Kardumas, and Deivydas Matulevičius hit the crossbar with the rebound.
Already in added time, D. Matulevičius managed to revive the intrigue and narrow the gap with a long shot. However, the team under the commendable pressure of Tom Ražanauskas failed to equalize. The leading team in the championship, "Sudūva" (58 points), temporarily increased their lead over Vilnius' "Žalgiris" to six points. "Dainava" ranks eighth with 26 points.
