After the control matches in Poland, which ended with a score of 2:1 in favor of the hosts, the coaches and players of the Lithuanian national team spoke about the disappointment that the second half did not go well and they lacked the strength to maintain a positive result.
Comments of the Lithuanian national team after the match:
Coach Vitalijus Stankevičius:
"Such matches are very beneficial for our young team. Playing against a strong opponent in front of so many spectators, we managed to play the first half quite well. We defended well, scored a goal, the opponents had few chances. In the second half, the opponents increased their pace, pressed us towards our goal. We made a mistake and allowed them to equalize. We need to toughen up in such matches.
In a short period of time, we played three difficult matches, covering about 2,000 kilometers. It was tough. It's important that the boys didn't lose focus and played football, showing desire. We also made mistakes, which we will analyze."
Forward Lukas Spalvis:
"Fedoras Černychas made a good pass to me, lifted the ball over the opponent directly to my head. I had to score right away. I hesitated a bit, but the ball bounced off. But the goal was outstanding until we missed two.
I think we sat back too much at the end of the match, but the Polish team still had something to prove to their opponents. Defensively, we were unsuccessful, conceding the first goal. The second was controversial. Today I did what I could, tried to hold onto the ball as much as I could."
Defender Tadas Kijanskas:
"The result is unsatisfactory, but it's important to keep in mind that we were missing eight players. We didn't have the optimal lineup, but other players got a chance to show themselves. The Polish national team played aggressively, we tried to counterattack, create dangerous opportunities from set pieces.
The first half went quite well, we scored at the end. There were positive vibes, but in the second half we lacked the strength, ball control. The Poles took the initiative, scored a goal, were on the 'wave'. The referee awarded a penalty kick, I think it was 50-50. But the Poles played at home.
I believe that in such an atmosphere, in front of such a large crowd, young players gained experience. We will draw conclusions from these matches and better prepare for the selection."
Goalkeeper Artūras Žulpa:
"Both we and the spectators saw that we can really play against such opponents, such stars like R. Lewandowski. We showed that we can compete with them. We scored a goal and fought honorably. Playing defensively was very challenging, we played on counterattacks. It paid off, we played quite well.
There were two different halves. In the second, we had less energy, played more around our goal. Perhaps that was a mistake. On the other hand, they were more fired up. However, the Poles probably deserved the win, they were better.
I feel better and better with each match in the national team. Playing at this level allows me to improve faster."
Defender Vytautas Andriuškevičius:
"A lot of emotions. After the first half, we had a favorable result, so it's disappointing that in the second half we conceded a painful goal, followed by a questionable penalty. As a result - the result was not in our favor.
We played the first half better, held onto the ball more. Everyone worked together, the team was focused. Defense was not bad, only when we conceded goals, the game changed, we became more vulnerable."
LFF
