The match ended with a victory for the Vilnius team 1:0, and the only goal of the match was scored by Nikola Petković in the 58th minute.
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Until then, the hosts had several good chances to score but did not take advantage of them. The biggest problem for “Kauno Žalgiris” is precisely the conversion of chances, which has prevented the team from winning for 6 consecutive matches. This resulted in the representatives of the temporary capital, who led Toplyga for a long time, now dropping to second place behind Telšių “Džiugas”.
“There was a very enjoyable atmosphere, it felt like a real football match,” said Kaunas head coach Eivinas Černiauskas about the 8,303 spectators who came to the game. “We played well in the first half, but as has happened in recent matches, we again failed to score quick goals, did not take advantage of our chances, and then suffered ourselves.
I think the match was not bad for us, but one mistake in defense, one cross from the flank changed the whole situation. After conceding the goal, the opponents tightened up even more near their goal, and of course, it was difficult to break through them. There were half-chances, but that is not enough for us. We need to create more chances if we want to score a goal.”
The coach noted that taking each match separately, many good things can be found, the team plays well. But everything is spoiled by the lack of the necessary final result.
“The overall picture is certainly not comforting. We had a record winning streak, and now there is probably a record streak of matches without a win,” continued E. Černiauskas. “In almost all matches, we played better, created chances, but then it was a red card, then 27 shots without a goal, then we concede a goal with 20 seconds left. All this is sad, not pleasant. In individual matches, many good things can be found, but the essential statistics are on the scoreboard.
Each such match puts pressure on us, confidence fades. We need at least 1-2 good matches, then we will return to good tracks. The international break will be just in time, we need to rest and, having drawn conclusions, look ahead.”
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Similarly spoke the head coach of the Vilnius team, Andrius Skerla, even stating that he would like to have only the problems his colleague in Kaunas has.
“I had not won at this stadium before, so the tension was felt both because the team was not doing well and because this stadium seemed cursed to me,” said the coach, whose team now occupies 6th place in Toplyga. “I am extremely happy because now is the time to show character. A few days at the camp in Druskininkai, I think, gave an impulse. There I saw the players’ communication, I saw that everyone cares.
It was very important not to fall apart in this match, I congratulate the players for staying strong until the last seconds. “Kauno Žalgiris” controls the ball well, the fact that they are not winning matches is their problem, but for me to have such problems… They play well, just lack something upfront, the conversion of chances. This is a well-assembled team that was in first place for a long time. It was tough, there were moments when the opponents could have scored.
I can praise my team for not closing up, we had our chances, we created set pieces. Patience gave confidence, we waited for that one opportunity that came, and we took advantage of it.”
Now there is an international break in the Lithuanian championship, and teams will return to the fields in mid-June.
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