© EuroFootball.com
The Lithuanian national team suffered their second defeat in the World Cup qualifiers in two months, this time losing to the team of Serbia and Montenegro in Vilnius. The Lithuanians missed several opportunities to score, conceding one goal at the end of the first half and another at the end of the second half, resulting in a 0-2 loss.
In this qualifying cycle, Lithuania's footballers, experiencing their fourth setback, remained in fifth place in Group 7. Their last qualifying match will be against Belgium at home this Wednesday.
In other group matches today, Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated San Marino at home, with all three goals scored by E. Bolic, while Spain defeated Belgium away with two precise strikes from F. Torres, keeping their hopes alive to secure the first place.
Lithuania 0 - 2 Serbia and Montenegro 43` [0 - 1] Mateja Kezman 85` [0 - 2] Zvonimir Vukic
Lithuania: Karčemarskas; Stankevičius, Skerla, Džiaukštas, Paulauskas (76` Paulauskas); Mikoliūnas (58` Morinas), Preikšaitis, Savėnas; D.Česnauskis; Danilevičius (86` Radzinevičius), Jankauskas
The visitors started the match more actively and took control. Mateja Kezman had the first chance to score in the 7th minute, but his shot from the penalty area flew over the goal. Despite several other dangerous attacks by the Serbians, Lithuania's national team managed to defend successfully.
Midway through the first half, with the Serbians losing one of their leaders, Dejan Stankovic, due to injury, Lithuania regrouped and started to control the game, creating several chances to score. The best chance to score fell to Edgaras Jankauskas, but after a defensive error by the visitors, he missed a clear opportunity to score.
As the first half came to a close, Lithuania failed to score and the Serbians succeeded. Aleksandar Lukovic earned a penalty shot for the visitors, which was converted into a goal by Predrag Djordjevic, leading to their 1-0 lead.
The second half started much more actively for Lithuania, as they took control and sought to equalize. However, their efforts were in vain as Zvonimir Vukic cleverly scored the second goal for the visitors with a precise shot, securing their victory.
