Edgars Jankauskas’ students beat their opponents 1:0 (0:0) away from home – in the match held in Faro, Portugal.
Ours had a hard time creating chances, and their lives were made much easier when Gibraltar goalkeeper Dayle Coleing was red-carded for a foul on Fyodor Chernych midway through the first half (26 minutes).
It was only possible to take advantage of one player in the 60th minute, when 21-year-old forward Armandas Kučys, who came off the bench, headed the ball into the goal after Vykintas Slivka’s pass from the wing.
After the goal, the Lithuanians relaxed a bit and created a few more opportunities, but they could not be used, and they equalized on the power play area when Edvinas Girdvainis was punished with the second yellow card (71 min.).
Gibraltar got braver and began to visit the Lithuanian goal, the obvious favorites of the match, more often. And although the rivals failed to equalize the result, they will come to Lithuania to play the return battle with only a minimal deficit.
The return match, after which it will become clear who will remain in the C division of the UEFA Nations League, and who will fall to the very bottom D, will take place on Tuesday at the Darius i Girėnas Stadium in Kaunas.
The Lithuanians played with the ball longer (61-39%), attacked the opponent’s goal more often (26-6, 5-3 into the goal area) and created significantly more expected goals (2.42-0.32 xG).
The course of the match
90+5 min. The final whistle blows. The Lithuanians won the first battle, but they still have to fight in the rematch on Tuesday in Kaunas.
90 min. 5 minutes are added.
88 min. The last substitution of E. Jankauskas – A. Dolžnikovas replaces captain F. Černyčas, who played very actively.
85 min. The result on the scoreboard seems to satisfy both. Neither team tries to take too many risks and attack.
81 min. Double substitution in the ranks of the Lithuanian national team: O. Verbickas replaces V. Slivkas, and K. Upstas replaces P. Širvi.
74 min. Gibraltar gets emboldened and launches at least a few attacks at our gates in just a few minutes. E. Jankauskas strengthens the defense and lets L. Klimavičiņu enter the field instead of G. Paulauskas.
71 min. The forces are equalized on the field… E. Girdvainis pushes the opponent and the referee draws a second yellow…
70 min. F. Černychas misleads the opponents, kicks from outside the penalty area, but hits the post! The ball bounces onto the field, hits the opponent’s keeper and disappointingly goes over the end line…
65 minutes There is also danger at the Lithuanian gates. Our team kicks the ball, but the wind is so strong that the ball lands behind the back line. A corner from which the Gibraltar captain heads powerfully and dangerously… Fortunately over the bar.
62 min. Another pass from the edge and another extremely dangerous header… This time G. Paulauskas misses by just a few centimeters.
60 minutes GOAL!! V.Slivka lifts the ball and A.Kučys scores a goal with his head. The Lithuanians achieve their goal – they rush forward with high passes (1:0).
57 min. Kooooks G.Gineitis shot! The “Torino” midfielder, who has shot from a long distance, shakes the crossbar of the opponent’s goal!
53 min. A sharp pass to P.Širvius, but the defender of the Lithuanian national team, who is at the very point of the attack, does not stop the ball…
49 min. Another shot by F. Černych, but the ball is caught by the goalkeeper of Gibraltar.
46 min. E. Jankauskas sharpens the attack already during the big break – D. Romanovskis is replaced by A. Kučys on the court.
First half
45+5 min. Even 5 minutes are added and in the very last attack the Lithuanians create the most dangerous opportunity. A. Novikov breaks into the penalty area, lifts the ball, which falls under the feet of F. Černych… Unfortunately, the captain shoots near the post (0:0).
44 min. Yellow card for G. Gineičius.
39 minutes Without one player, Gibraltar is pressing even harder towards their own goal. For now, our team is trying to find holes in their defense with high passes from the sides, but accuracy is lacking.
32 min. It is already the third yellow card for the Lithuanians. This time striker G. Paulauskas is being punished.
30 minutes G. Gineitis shoots powerfully, but directly at the opponent’s goalkeeper… The latter hits the ball directly in front of him, but Gibraltar can hardly defend.
27 minutes Gibraltar makes a forced substitution, and Lithuanians face a dangerous free kick from just outside the penalty area.
24 min. The opponents take a corner kick, but the Lithuanians defend and attack with precise passes. F. Černychas jumps out alone against the opponent’s goalkeeper, who commits a foul and the referee draws a red card!
23 minutes E. Jankauska’s students still lack calmness and confidence in the last third of the pitch. It’s safe to say the match is going according to Gibraltar’s plan so far…
16 min. Lithuanians make a mistake near their own goal and J. Lasickas, who did not want to let the opponent forward, is also punished with a yellow card.
11 minutes An unpleasant episode. E. Utkus faces an opponent and gets to his feet only after medical help. Fortunately, it seems that both he and the opponent will be able to continue the match.
7 minutes E.Girdvainis stops the opponent’s attack and is penalized with a yellow card at the very beginning of the match.
5 minutes The Lithuanians try to play more actively, but Gibraltar fights hard and prevents our people from playing the way they would like.
1 min. The match begins!
Starting elevens
Rokas Lekiatas, who played in the Romanian football championship on Monday, was not registered for the match by the decision of the coaches.
The match will take place in Faro, Portugal, 400 km from Gibraltar.
It is estimated that the value of this series is half a million euros. That is the financial difference between the C and D divisions in the UEFA Nations League.
The Lithuanian Football Federation also promised the national team a record bonus of 50,000 for survival in the C division. euros.
Thursday’s clash will be the first of two scheduled. The return match will take place on Tuesday in Kaunas, at the Darius i Girėnas stadium.
Having remained in the C division, our team will compete in one group with Romania, Cyprus and Kosovo next autumn.
In case of failure, they would have to fall to historical lows and compete with Liechtenstein and San Marino in the D division.
Tags: Minimal victory battle red cards Lithuania broke Gibraltar Sports
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