Lithuania A Lyga - Week 5 Round-Up

June 19 & 20, 2020

Round 5

FK Riteriai 1-1 FK Panevezys

FK Banga Gargzdai 1-1 Kauno Zalgiris

FK Suduva 1-1 FK Zalgiris

With 5 matches played, the first round of fixtures in the A Lyga in Lithuania have now been completed. This set of matches was notable for several reasons. Firstly, all three matches were 1-1 draws, which enabled Panevezys to earn their first point of the season, whilst Suduva dropped their first point of the season.

Zalgiris will probably see this as a missed opportunity to close the gap on Sudova, having taken a first half lead from Marko Karamarko’s header, which the Suduva keeper Kardum probably should have kept out. Videmont had a good chance to extend the lead on 62 minutes but Kardum bravely made a double save. Zalgiris paid the penalty when in the 5^th minute of injury time ex Rapid Vienna man Thomas Salamon reacted the quickest to a flicked on header to volley into the roof of the net from just outside the six yard box.

Newly promoted Banga Gargzdai will be feeling satisfied with their start to the season having conceded just three goals so far, and narrow losses to the “big 2”. Here they picked up a point to Kauno Zalgiris, with Rakauskas being credited with the equalizer in the 6^th minute of injury time, heading home after a scramble from a corner. Ex Hearts man Pilibaitas had given Kauno the lead in the 77^th minute, prodding home after Driomovas had kept out his goal bound header and Otele’s close range follow-up.

Riteriai started strongly, having two good chances before Ivorian Lajo Traore slid home in the 6^th minute after Thuique back heel put him in space. Levsinas missed a sitter to extend the lead but Panevezys deserved equalised in the 80^th minute when Veliulus was put clear and ran through the middle to calmly score. Riteriai will be disappointed with how they have begun the season.

With 31 goals scored so far, there have been 28 different goal scorers.  Josip Tadic of Suduva leads the way on 3 with Kauno Zalgiris’ Emmanuel David next with 2. The others all have one each.

The next set of fixtures are on Wednesday 24^th June :

FK Banga Gargzdai vs FK Riteriai ( 15.00 local/13.00 UK )

FK Suduva vs FK Panevezys ( 17.00 local/15.00 UK )

FK Zalgiris vs Kauno Zalgiris ( 18.00 local/16.00 UK )