Zalgiris" from Vilnius won the first friendly match

2024-01-20 18:53 © Elvio Zaldario

In the first control match of the year 2024, "Žalgiris" confidently defeated Panevėžys "Ekranas" with a score of 3:0 (2:0).

Romualdas Jansonas scored twice in the first half, and Jurijus Kendyšas converted a penalty.

In these matches, newcomers Joris Moutachy, Myroslavas Mazuras, Giedrius Matulevičius, young academy graduates Patrikas Matyžonokas, Julius Plančiūnas, Adomas Buikus, Vakaris Berenta made their debut for the Vilnius team, as well as three trial participants. Abdoulas Doumbia, who has been recovering from an injury recently, did not play.

At the start of the first half, a defender participating in a trial suffered an injury and was replaced by Tomas Bakšys.

In the 9th minute, after a pass from Ovidijus Verbickas, Romualdas Jansonas beat the defender and scored the first goal for "Žalgiris." R. Jansonas continued to be active, but two of his shots, after passes from Martynas Šetka, did not find the target. Once, after a header by M. Mikulėnas, the ball hit the crossbar.

In the 33rd minute, after a dangerous attempt by O. Verbickas, R. Jansonas comfortably placed the ball into the net. "Ekranas" created danger only from long distances and did not trouble Edvinas Gertmonas. At the end of the half, a penalty shot by Arvydas Novikovas was saved by the visiting team's goalkeeper.

During the break, the players of Žalgiris made seven substitutions. The half started with opportunities for Meinardas Mikulėnas and G. Matulevičius.

Then the game slowed down until the 71st minute, when an "Ekranas" defender handled J. Moutachy's pass with his hand in the penalty area, and referee Donatas Rumšas awarded a penalty kick. Jurijus Kendyšas converted the penalty with a strong shot into the middle of the goal.

As the match neared its end, V. Berenta and P. Matyžonokas also had chances to score, but the ball flew past the goal after their attempts.

The next control match for "Žalgiris" will be on January 24 against Gargždai "Banga."

Composition of "Žalgiris": E. Gertmonas, M. Šetkus (46 min. trial player), trial player (4 min T. Bakšys, 46 min M. Mazur), J. Kendyš (78 min. J. Plančiūnas), J. Bopesu (46 min. J. Moutachy), Y. Karashima (78 min. A. Buikus), A. Fofana (46 min. G. Matulevičius), O. Verbickas (46 min. P. Golubickas), A. Novikovas (46 min. trial player), M. Mikulėnas (65 min. P. Matyžonok), R. Jansonas (46 min. V. Berenta).