Recent newcomer Dumančić scores his first goal for the club as Žalgiris secure their second consecutive win

FK Žalgiris edged FK Banga Gargždai 1–0 in a tight A Lyga clash, thanks to a first-half header from Luka Dumančić. Despite going down to ten men in the second half, Žalgiris held on, with strong performances from Carlos Olses and Giedrius Matulevičius.

The match featured a clash between the 8th and 6th placed teams in this season’s A Lyga. FK Žalgiris played their final game before kicking off their European campaign against Maltese champions Hamrun Spartans, while FK Banga Gargždai still have two league matches to go before their own European showdown with Norwegian giants Rosenborg.

Among those in attendance was Lithuanian national team coach Edgaras Jankauskas, with a particular focus on local talent. Notable among them were FK Žalgiris midfielder Giedrius Matulevičius and FK Banga Gargždai goalkeeper Mantas Bertašius, both of whom have previously been called up to the national squad.

The first real chance came in the 6th minute, when centre-back Deividas Malžinskas made a brilliant solo run and fired a shot on target, only to be denied by FK Žalgiris keeper Olses.

The opening 20 minutes saw very few opportunities, particularly from FK Žalgiris, who failed to register a single shot.

In the 28th minute, Žalgiris threatened from a corner, but Yury Kendysh’s attempt missed the target. A similar scenario unfolded in the 40th minute: another corner, another shot by Kendysh, but once again no real danger for Bertašius in goal.

Just before the break, in stoppage time, Matulevičius had a clear opportunity to open the scoring, but Bertašius made a solid save, conceding a corner.

This set-piece would finally break the deadlock. After a few quick passes outside the box, Martynas Šetkus delivered a precise cross, met perfectly by Žalgiris’ new centre-back Luka Dumančić, who headed the ball home.

It was the final action of the first half.

In the 51st minute, Yury Kendysh tested his luck from outside the box with a shot on target, but it lacked the power to trouble Bertašius.

Just three minutes later, the Belarusian midfielder found himself with a clear chance inside the penalty area, but this time his effort went wide of the mark.

The momentum shifted in Banga’s favor shortly afterward, following a foul by Joris Moutachy in the 63rd minute. It was his second bookable offense, earning him a red card and reducing FK Žalgiris to ten men.

Taking advantage of the numerical superiority, Banga pushed forward. Soon after, Maksim Andrejev unleashed a shot from distance, but Carlos Olses was equal to it, making a solid save.

FK Žalgiris didn’t settle for their one-goal lead. In the 85th minute, Giedrius Matulevičius showcased his technical skill with a well-executed move and a shot on target, but FK Banga’s goalkeeper was up to the task, making a crucial save.

In the end, Žalgiris secured a narrow but significant 1–0 victory. Their focus now shifts to the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round, with the opening leg set to take place in Vilnius on July 9th at 19:00.

Meanwhile, FK Banga will look to bounce back in their upcoming league fixture against Džiugas Telšiai on July 13th.

FK Žalgiris vs FK Banga Gargždai – 1:0 (1:0)
Goals: L.Dumancic 45+3′
ŽAL: C.Olses, L.Dumancic, Y.Kendysh, J.Moutachy, V.Radenovic, M.Šetkus (O.Verbickas 71’), B.Tavares, B.Lukasevic (P.Matyžonok 74’), G.Matulevičius, E.Ofori, L.Antal (M.Youla 74’)
BAN: M.Bertašius, V.Antužis, H.Figueredo, S.Junior, D.Malžinskas, M.Ambrazaitis (M.Andrejev 62’), V.Magdušauskas, D.Norvilas (Laton 46’), M.Ramanauskas, P.Srėbalius (A.Emsis 81’), I.Venckus

A Lyga Matchday 19 games:

• 04.07.2025 – FK Žalgiris vs FK Banga Gargždai – 1:0
• 05.07.2025 – FC Hegelmann vs FA Šiauliai – 18:00
• 05.07.2025 – FK Riteriai vs FK Kauno Žalgiris – 18:00
• 06.07.2025 – DFK Dainava Alytus vs Džiugas Telšiai – 16:45
• 07.07.2025 – FK Panevėžys vs FK Sūduva Marijampolė – 19:00