TOPsport A League" round review: all teams open up a point gap

2024-03-11 17:10 © E. Žaldario

After the 2nd round of the "TOPsport A lyga" tournament table, there are no teams left without points or without a fight.

Change. In the clash between "Kauno Žalgiris" and Kaunas district "Hegelmann," the blue and whites proved their advantage. Just like in the first match of last season, this year Andrius Skerla's squad eliminated the deficit and won - 2:1.

An important factor was the substitution made during the break when the 20-year-old Cameroonian Njoya Abdel Kader replaced Michael Thuique. The forward actively participated in attacks, resulting in both goals being scored.

Emotions. In the 2024 season, a player from "Kauno Žalgiris" received the first red card. However, this happened after the match.

Slovenian Žan Benedičič received a disqualification, so the guardsmen will seek to rehabilitate themselves in the match against Vilnius district "TransINVEST" team on Tuesday.

Debut. Patiently defending, Telšiai's "Džiugas" triumphed in the 2nd round - defeating the "TransINVEST" players 1:0 as visitors. Together with Vilnius' "Žalgiris," who currently have 4 points, they now lead the championship.

A victorious goal was scored by debutant striker Nino Noordanus from the Netherlands in the "TOPsport A lyga," skillfully executing the situation after a pass from Christiano Bell.

Return. Among the championship debutants are players who returned to the Lithuanian championship after a nine-year hiatus.

In the 1st round, defender Povilas Kiselevskis took on this role, and last week - midfielder Erlandas Juška made his appearance after a substitution in the first half. It is possible that the 27-year-old player will play longer in matches since the match with "Džiugas" has not yet ended for the midfielder Ričardas Šveikauskas.

Scenario. FA "Šiauliai" ended a match without goals for the second time in a row - 0:0. In the 2nd round, this happened when playing against "Bang" from Gargždai, with whom they have played on equal terms in each season.

Just like in the clash against "Sūduva" in Marijampolė, so last Sunday Mindaugas Čepas's squad created good opportunities at the end of the match, but they were not realized.

Performance. In the ranks of "Bang," three outstanding talents are playing this year, representatives of the younger generation who have previously developed in Germany - Benas Šatkus, Natanas Žebrauskas, and Vaidas Magdušauskas.

Due to health problems, the latter missed the entire 2023 season and officially put on the jersey of the Gargždai club again in the match in Šiauliai. V. Magdušauskas entered the game in the last minutes.

Three. In so many official matches this year, "Panevėžys" has not scored a single goal. In the 2nd round, they failed to overcome Alytus DFK "Dainava" resistance at home - 0:0.

On the other hand, the defense should be pleasing - the ball was also not drawn out of the defended goal net, and defender Lucas de Vega made his debut. The Panevėžys team will play the next two matches against "Sūduva" and "Banga."

Conclusion. After the match in Panevėžys, the coach of the Dainava team, Sergej Kuznecov, was satisfied with the team's playing and toughness in the games. According to him, this was influenced by the preseason when more athletic players were invited.

One of them is still waiting for his chance to appear. The 26-year-old Ukrainian Gleb Hrachyov may already debut in the ranks of Dainava, and he may have to replace Oskar Lukošiūnas, who did not finish the match due to injury.

Fireworks. Once again, in the last round's match, more goals were scored than in the four previous clashes. In the match between "Žalgiris" and "Sūduva," as many as seven goals were scored - 3:3.

Marijampolietis Giedrius Matulevičius sent the ball into the visitors' goal twice, while Artiomas Fiodorovas from "Sūduva" played excellently, scoring a goal and making an assist.

Commentary. Dovydas Lastauskas, the head coach of the Marijampolė team, was removed from the technical zone at the end of the clash and later looked at the situation with humor.

"I will get a fine from the team. I heard that I have to buy something - I will try to negotiate. Suvalkians are good negotiators, so I will try to justify myself. Debut red card, I hope the last," joked D. Lastauskas.