© EuroFootball.com
Ambitious plans openly embraced by Vilnius' "Vėtra" before the season did not start very successfully - in the first matches of this year's "A League," the capital's club footballers met the "Šilutė" team at home and the match ended in a draw 1-1.
Vilnius "Vėtra" stadium, 200 spectators Referee - Deivis Kančelskis Vilnius 1 - 1 59` [1 - 0] Sergej Kuznecov 77` [1 - 1] Tadas Papečkys
"Vėtra": V.Žutautas; Sasnauskas (58` Talancev), Raliukonis, A.Jankauskas, Žudys; Preikšaitis (82` Vėževičius), Vencevičius, Božinovski, Milošeski; Blažys (68` Vaineikis), Kuznecov
"Šilutė": Kilijonas; Gaurilovas, Pacevičius, Butkus, Juozaitis; Zubavičius, Petrenko, Mačiulis, Kižys (81` Gražys), Papečkys (90` Mockus); Grigalevičius (68` Podelis)
Due to an injury, Germanas Lovčevas, could not play in the first match for "Vėtra," he was replaced by Edvinas Blažys in the starting lineup. Macedonian defenders Bobis Božinovskis and Dejan Miloševskis, as well as Ukrainian striker Sergejus Kuznecovas, made their debut in the Vilnius team in the "A League."
The "Vėtra" footballers started the match more actively and attacked more. The guests defended reliably and organized several counterattacks, but were saved by the reliable play of "Vėtra" goalkeeper Vaidas Žutautas. Towards the end of the first half, "Vėtra" players pressed their opponents in their half, but unfortunately failed to convert the created opportunities.
In the 23rd minute, a powerful shot from distance by Bobi Božinovski shook the "Šilutė" goalpost, and in the 34th minute after Aid Preikšaitis' pass, Edvinas Blažys jumped ahead of the opponents' goalkeeper, but the "Vėtra" forward missed the target. In the 44th minute, Nerijus Sasnauskas had a great opportunity to score, but his close-range shot was off target. The score remained level at 0-0 after the first half.
The second half began similarly to the first. "Vētra" was on the attack, and both forwards - Sergejus Kuznecovas and Edvinas Blažys - had chances to score. In the 59th minute, the "Vētra" attack finally resulted in a goal - Bobis Božinovskis passed the ball to the far post, Julius Raliukonis accurately directed the ball to Sergejus Kuznecovas, who scored with a header from close range. The "Vėtra" footballers took the lead with a score of 1-0.
After conceding the goal, "Šilutė" tried to equalize, and after a penalty kick by the visitors, the ball hit the crossbar. Shortly after, the "Vėtra" responded - confusion in front of the "Šilutė" goal, but B. Božinovskis' shot hit the crossbar and the "Vētra" failed to increase their lead.
With more space in the hosts' half, "Šilutė" utilized counterattacks and unexpectedly equalized the score - in the 77th minute after Tadas Papečkys' goal, the result became 1-1. Defensive errors by "Vėtra" continued, and soon T. Papečkys had a great opportunity to turn the result around, but V. Žutautas saved "Vėtra" from conceding.
In the last minutes of the match, the "Vėtra" players pressed their opponents and attacked dangerously. Even in injury time, Robertas Vėževičius hit the crossbar. At the end of the match, luck was on Šilutė's side, so the match ended in a somewhat unexpected draw of 1-1.
After the match, "Vėtra" coach Edgaras Gessas regretted that they failed to capitalize on many opportunities created: "An attacking team met a team that promotes defensive football. We could not score for a long time, and they withdrew to their half and tried to counterattack. Their forwards had a lot of space and they equalized the score after a counterattack. We made mistakes in defense and I think that in the near future we will have to change our playing scheme. Another problem is missed chances. We created many dangerous moments. There were shots hitting the crossbar, crosses, and one-on-ones. Unfortunately, we failed to score more. I'm satisfied with the game but not with the result."
