July 23, 2020
Round 10 had seen wins for FK Suduva, FK Zalgiris and Kauno
Zalgiris so there was no change at the top of the A Lyga table.
FK Suduva 0-0 FK Banga Gargzdai
An eventful and controversial game as the Champions and league
leaders failed to win at home for only the second time this season.
Suduva dominated the first 30 minutes and it looked only a
matter of time before they would take the lead. The game changed for the first time
in the 33rd minute when Suduva’s Austrian defender Thomas Salamon appeared
to be fouled just inside the Suduva half but referee Manfredas Lukjancukas, he
of the trendy haircut and liking to be the centre of attention, waived play on.
The enraged Salamon then lunged recklessly into a tackle for a foul that could
have been a straight red card. Veteran Banga midfielder Robert Vezevicius rushed over to
Salamon and pushed him in the chest, and Salamon fell pole-axed to the floor
holding his head. Vezevicius immediately smiled and started waiving his finger
to the officials to plead his innocence but received a yellow card. For his disgraceful
behaviour Salamon received two yellows and was off. If there is any justice he
should be facing a lengthy ban for his pathetic attempt at cheating.
In the 53rd minute Banga Japanese winger Yoshikawa
was 1 on 1 against covering defender Daniel Offenbacher ( also an Austrian ) and
as he skipped by the defender was cynically brought down just outside the penalty
area. A clear denial of a goal scoring opportunity and the inevitable red card
followed to leave Suduva down to 9 men.
Banga showed very little imagination or awareness of how to
utilise their 2 man advantage, resorting to hopeful long range shots or
aimless crosses which Suduva dealt with very easily. There was no attempt to get
to the bye-line or spread the massed defence. Indeed, Suduva looked more threatening
on their sporadic attacks and in the 82nd minute the impressive
Pusic made a run and fed the ball to Svirjuga just inside the Banga area. Svirjuga
went past the on-rushing keeper then threw himself to the floor well away from
any contact, and all the Suduva players and officials screamed for a penalty,
which was denied. In the ensuing row, the substitute goal-keeper on the bench
was shown the red card, and all along, the linesman had flagged for offside,
which probably saved Svirjuga from a yellow card for his outrageous dive.
The drama didn’t end here. Two minutes later Suduva’s Sabala
had his shirt pulled and won a free-kick near halfway. He then walked 15 yards over
to the referee and said something unnecessary, only to be rewarded with another
red card ! At this point a couple of Suduva players lost their heads and were
threatening to walk off, but fortunately keeper Kardum persuaded them to stay
and the game eventually continued.
Banga still kept 4 at the back, continued to lump early
balls into the box, or attempted long range shots rather than looking up to see
the 2 or 3 unmarked players in better positions. Five added minutes were
announced and in a redefinition of injury time, the Suduva players took it in
turns to go down with imaginary injuries to waste time ( 5 injuries in 2 minutes
) always leading to Lazarus like recoveries, twice for Svirjuga !
Perhaps out of embarrassment, the referee only added two
further minutes and at full time the surviving Suduva players celebrated wildly
but perhaps a little unwisely in front of the referee.
Banga were poor and didn’t deserve to win the match. Suduva need to
take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror as their conduct in this
match was scandalous. From the luxury of my sitting room the referee didn’t
appear to do too much wrong.
FK Kauno Zalgiris 3-2 FK Panevezys
Kauno won their 4th match in a row to move within
4 points of the leaders after an entertain win over Panevezys in a match with
just two red cards !
Kauno controlled the first half without creating many
chances, until after 40 minutes Urbys' headed flick from 6 yards from Emmanuel David’s cross gave
them the lead .
The lead was extended on 48 minutes when the
Panevezys keeper came for a long throw but was beaten to it by his own
defender, who could only help on to the unmarked Pilibaitas, who turned the ball into the
unguarded net for his 5th of the season.
Panevezys were given a lifeline with just under 20 minutes
to go when a cross by Figueiredo from the bye-line on the left found Elias free
to steer home from 5 yards. They were given another helping hand two minutes
later when David stretched for a bouncing ball but also made contact with defender Gaspuitis’ chest to receive his
second yellow and reduce Kauno to 10 men. However, this advantage only lasted 5
minutes before a careless challenge by Elias led to his second yellow card.
Perhaps the crucial moment came in the 81st minute
when Banga’s Cerkauskas was free 12 yards out but screwed his shot wide of the
far post.
Kauno wrapped out the win in the 93 minute when a reverse
pass from Benas put Domantas clear, and he shot confidently from just inside
the area into the near corner for 3-1. However, there was still time for
Edenilson to score a consolation with a free-kick through the wall and helped
by a fumble by the Kauno keeper. There wasn’t time for the restart.
FK Zalgiris 1-0 FK Ritteriai
Hugo Videmont’s 5th goal of the season was enough
to give Zalgiris victory in a drab encounter. Released by Antal’s reverse pass,
Videmont shot home from a tight angle in the 5th minute.
Perhaps the
only other incident worthy of note was Riteriai keeper Simaitis’ excellent save
from Videmont’s curling free-kick on 57 minutes. Zalgiris did just enough to
deserve their win and reduce the gap to leaders Suduva to 3 points.
Top Goalscorers
Mihret Topcagic ( FK Suduva ) 5
Hugo Videmont ( FK Zalgiris ) 5
Linas Pilibaitas ( FK Kauno ) 5
Richie Ennin ( FX Zalgiris ) 4
Emmanuel David ( FK Kauno ) 4
Round 12 is scheduled for Sunday 28th July :
FK Kauno Zalgiris vs FK Banga Gargdzai ( 18.00 local/16.00
UK )
FK Paneveyzs vs FK Zalgiris ( 19.00 local/17.00 UK )
FK Riteriai vs FK Suduva ( 20.00 local/18.00 UK )
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