Clinical Sūduva outplay Hegelmann to draw level in A Lyga standings

In a crucial top-table clash of the 18th round of the TOPsport A Lyga, Marijampolė’s Sūduva delivered a composed and disciplined performance to defeat Kauno rajonas Hegelmann 2–0, drawing level with them on points in the league table.

The match began with promise for the home side, who nearly capitalized on an early set-piece. Artem Shchedryi found Rasheed Yusuf in the box, but the forward’s effort was fired straight at Sūduva goalkeeper Ignas Plūkas. In the 20th minute, Henry Uzochukwu unleashed a long-range strike that, aided by a deflection, narrowly missed the post.

After 30 minutes of tight play, Sūduva created their first real threat through Steve Lawson, whose powerful shot from outside the box came close to breaking the deadlock. That breakthrough, however, came just nine minutes later. Japanese winger Kota Sakurai made a surging run down the right flank and delivered a perfect ball into the area, where unmarked midfielder Frankline Tangiri met it first-time to beat Vincentas Šarkauskas in goal.

Sūduva doubled their lead in the 60th minute. Midfielder Sidy Sanokho drew a foul from Jonathan Mulder in the penalty area, and Lawson stepped up to the spot to confidently convert, making it 2–0.

Hegelmann pushed for a response in the final stages. Šarkauskas was called into action to deny a shot from Darius Stankievičius, while at the other end, Abdel Kader Njoya missed a great opportunity to cut the deficit. Lazar Kojić’s powerful left-footed strike later rattled the crossbar, summing up Hegelmann’s frustration.

With the win, Sūduva catch Hegelmann in the table—both sides now sit on 34 points, just six adrift of league leaders Kauno Žalgiris.

FC Hegelmann vs FK Sūduva – 0:2 (0:1)
Goals: Tangiri 39′ Lawson 62′ (Penalty kick)
HEG: Šarkauskas, Upstas, Armalas, Antanavičius (Harouna 69′), Mulder, Kojic, Duke, Shchedryi (Popescu 63′), Ribeiro (Azouazi 77′), Kazlauskas (Kaušinis 63′), Yusuf (Njoya 63′)
SŪD: Plūkas, Uzochukwu, Beneta, Zivanovic, Baltrūnas, Tangiri (Momoh 82′), Sakurai (Lucky 82′), Lawson, Haidara (Stankevičius 63′), Petkevičius, Sanokho (Lukšys 90+2′)

A Lyga Matchday Matchday 18:

• 29.06.2025 – FK Riteriai vs DFK Dainava Alytus – 0:2
• 29.06.2025 – FA Šiauliai vs FC Džiugas Telšiai – 5:0
• 29.06.2025 – FK Paņevežys vs FK Žalgiris – 2:4
• 30.06.2025 – FK Banga Gargždai vs FK Kauno Žalgiris – 0:2
• 30.06.2025 – FC Hegelmann vs FK Sūduva – 0:2