In the first match of the survival of the C division of the Nations League – 2 red cards and the victory of the Lithuanian national team by a minimal margin

Lithuanian national team in the first match away from the UEFA Nations League C Division survival 1:0 overcame Gibraltar footballers.

In the first half, the Lithuanians created attacks at the opponent’s goal, but the opponents also tried to find their answers. However, the goalkeeper Dayle Coleings, who stopped the quick counterattack organized by the Lithuanian national team, was punished with a red card in the 25th minute and the hosts were left to play at ten. The Lithuanians created chances during the rest of the half, but they could not use the advantage.

In the second half, the Lithuanians played more actively in attack. Gvidas Gineitis made several dangerous shots, but failed to score. Armandas Kučys, who appeared on the field after the substitution, disarmed the goalkeeper with a great header in the 60th minute and put the Lithuanian national team ahead 1:0. The ball hit by Fedor Chernych shook the structure of the goal and it was not possible to double the result. Soon, Edvinas Girdvainis was punished for a foul against an opponent with a second yellow card, which turned into a red card, and the Lithuanians were also left to play in ten. During the rest of the time, none of the national teams managed to score, and the Lithuanian national team won with a minimal result.

Interesting facts:

• The Gibraltar team lost all ten matches they played last year without scoring a single goal.

• Gibraltar lost 0-14 away to France last November, making it the team’s worst defeat of all time.

• Gibraltar played their first match as UEFA members against the Slovaks in autumn 2013, and then started to compete in official international tournaments, although they have so far failed to qualify for either the European or the World Cup.

• The team had a successful 2020-2021 Nations League cycle – in Division D, Gibraltar managed to take first place in the group with Liechtenstein and San Marino.

• As for Gibraltar’s squad for this window, most players represent local clubs, but there is one Manchester United protege – 17-year-old midfielder James Scanlon, although he has yet to play a single game for either the men’s national team or Manchester United club team. Two players represent Spanish clubs, one plays in the top league of Ireland.

• The return match will be played on March 26 in Kaunas, after which it will be determined which team will remain in the C division.

Comments:

Edgaras Jankauskas, head coach of the Lithuanian national team:

“They have a lot of fighting spirit, but above all we have to talk about ourselves so that we don’t surprise ourselves.” It’s easier to prepare for a match when you obviously know the strength of the opposition, and Gibraltar can be a tricky team if we underestimate them. They have weak points, but to exploit them we will have to give our maximum strength, but if we don’t do that, we will become a team of the same level.

They have skill, maybe it disappears sometimes against a higher level team, when they are more difficult to play, and I think we belong to that level. Our gearbox is one gear higher, if we play in their lanes we will be a similar team because they know how to play and if we don’t offer them intensity, crosses into spaces, we will be a similar team, that’s obvious and I don’t want to hide it. European football differs in intensity, the more prepared the team is, the more dangerous it is, that’s the goal, to switch on that gear.

I don’t think it will make it difficult for us, we want to play this kind of football, to have more possession, it will be a great opportunity to try this style of play and I think we are really ready. Last year showed that we took a step forward, that we have confidence in each other and in ourselves,” emphasized the specialist.

Circumstances dictate this scenario, these are important details, the grass, the recovery periods are different, it also affects the starting line-up, but there are two games, we will need all the players, they are all important details and tomorrow is the first half and in a few days we will have a second one. Regardless of tomorrow’s result, it won’t be final yet.”

Edvinas Gertmons, goalkeeper of the Lithuanian national team:

“It’s great to start a legionnaire career again. The club is great, good infrastructure, good fans. I am very happy with new adventures, change of environment. I arrived quite late, the club’s goal was to get to the playoffs, but they didn’t make it, missing a point. We are now in 7th place with 8 or 9 games to go. We’ll see what happens next.

As for the national team, with the current coach we can definitely play as number one. It will be necessary to do this, because it would be difficult to play against Gibraltar as number two. I always try to win when I go on the pitch and this game will be very tricky because we are favorites and we have to win both games for sure.

But if there is relaxation, it will be very difficult and we will struggle a lot. You need to stay as focused as possible. Whether to play with the Hungarians or with Gibraltar, you need to have the same attitude. Then everything will be fine.”