TOPsport A league round review: two surprises at the bottom of the table

2024-04-03 08:15 © Lino Žemgulio

„TOPsport A lygos“ 5th round did not record any draws, but unexpected results were not lacking.

Consistency. Telšiai's „Džiugas“ finished March off excellently - they won at Gargždai's historically difficult „Banga“ by 2:0.

The dream start continues: the people of Telšiai are the only ones who haven't lost or conceded a goal. With 11 points, the Žemaitija club from Gargždai did not give up their first place and achieved victory even without Nino Noordanus.

Newcomers. After the injury of Tomas Rapalavičius, „Džiugas“ quickly reacted and called central defender Bacary Sane to their ranks. The Senegalese played the full 90 minutes in Gargždai.

„Banga“ were without Carlos Eduardo and Benas Šatkus in the last match, but 18-year-old Justas Paštukas made his debut.

Boomerang. Just like in 2023, the first match between Kauno rajono „Hegelmann“ and „Panevėžys“ this year ended 4:2. However, this time the blue and whites emerged victorious.

All different players in the Kaunas region team scored goals, and Patrickas Popescu, who scored for the third time, once again joined the most productive players of the championship.

Paradox. „Panevėžys“ opened the score in their official season match - Nicolas Gorobsovas converted a penalty kick. However, Noel Mbo's accurate shot did not bring victory.

The team from the capital of Aukštaitija conceded 4 goals, which was only the second time since the 2021 season. The first time was on August 7, 2022 - back then they lost 1:4 to „Sūduva“ in Marijampolė.

Return. The players from Vilnius region's „TransINVEST“ ended a series of three losses by winning 1:0 away against FA „Šiauliai“ after Henrique Devenso's goal and moved up to the middle of the tournament table.

Coach Donatas Vencevičius, who returned to the „TOPsport A lyga“ after almost seven years, celebrated victory on his first attempt. In the next match, the debutants will meet with „Sūduva“.

Losses. The bronze medalists of the previous season started the series of April matches in a heavily depleted state.

Head coach Mindaugas Čepas had to do without Mantas Kuklys, Deividas Šešplaukis, Eligijus Jankauskas, Vytas Gašpuičius, and Donatas Kazlauskas last Saturday, and just before the match, it was clarified that Martynas Dapkus would also be unable to play.

Corner. In the second match of Alytus DFK „Dainava“, they scored a goal from a standard position for the second time in a row. After raising the corner for Artiom Baftalovski, Ode Abdullahi made the mark.

This was the first goal scored in the Lithuanian championship by the 21-year-old Nigerian player. „Dainava“ won for the second time in a row and ranks fourth with 8 points.

Advice. Marijampolė's team started the season well, but in the last two matches, they failed to score. Coach Dovydas Lastauskas was expressive after the defeat suffered on Sunday.

„We need to call Andrius Lipskis, how to defend and how to score,“ - D. Lastauskas commented on the situation.

Interval. Vilnius „Žalgiris“ defeated „Kauno Žalgiris“ 1:0 away after Liviu Antali's goal and remained at the top of the threesome.

The Romanian legionnaire scored in his third match in a row and has sent the ball into the opponents' net 55 times in the „TOPsport A lyga“.

Substitution. „Žalgiris“, which has few more experienced Lithuanians in its ranks, had to make an enforced substitution in the first half.

Team captain Ovidijus Verbickas was replaced in the 15th minute, with 18-year-old Martynas Šetkus taking his place. This was his third match in the Lithuanian championship.

alyga.lt information, photo by L. Žemgulis;