Red card no obstacle as leaders Kauno Žalgiris drive past Dainava

FK Kauno Žalgiris once again proved their dominance in Lithuania’s A Lyga, defeating DFK Dainava Alytus 3–0 despite playing nearly 70 minutes with ten men. A red card in the first half didn’t stop the league leaders from collecting their third win over Dainava this season.

This marked the third meeting between the two teams this season, and Kauno Žalgiris have had little trouble with Dainava so far, collecting two previous wins with an aggregate score of 7–1. The league leaders have been in fine domestic form, unbeaten since April 27, notching up nine wins and one draw in their last ten league matches.

DFK Dainava, under new head coach Mergen Orazov — who took charge earlier this summer — began brightly under his leadership, claiming two consecutive victories at the start of his tenure. However, the early spark has since faded, and the team entered this match goalless in their last 180 minutes and on a two-game losing streak.

With a crucial UEFA Europa Conference League home fixture against Icelandic side Valur just days away, Žalgiris coach Rokas Černiauskas opted to rest his entire starting eleven from the previous match against Penybont, rotating in a completely fresh lineup.

Dainava also made changes — three in total — all in the back line. Recently signed Brazilian defender Reginaldo made his first start, while Maksymenko and Chikovani returned to the lineup.

The opening minutes saw Kauno Žalgiris create early pressure, with Airidas Mickevičius forced into action, and Valdas Paulauskas squandering a good chance. On the other end, Denis Ževžikovas managed a shot on target for Dainava.

In the 24th minute, Žalgiris went down to ten men after Eduardas Jurjonas was shown a straight red card for a nasty tackle on Cheikh Faye. Despite the setback, Žalgiris opened the scoring before halftime, as combination between Georgijevič to Amine Benchaib who set up Valdas Paulauskas to make it 1–0.

Dainava attempted to respond with long-range efforts in the second half, but goalkeeper Tomas Švedkauskas stood firm. But the best chance was for the substitute Obi Jeremiah Chinonso who came very close, rattling the crossbar.

In the 89th minute that was all she wrote as Fedor Černych found Nosa Edokpolor in the penalty area, who converted to double Kaunos Žalgiris’ lead. The third and the final goal came deep in stoppage time, when Dejan Georgijević calmly scored from the penalty spot after a handball by Vladyslav Zahladako.

With this result, Kauno Žalgiris move up to 46 points, widening the gap at the top of the league. Dainava remain bottom of the table with just 10 points as their struggles continue.

FK Kauno Žalgiris vs DFK Dainava Alytus – 3:0 (1:0)
Goals: Paulauskas 44′, Edokpolor 89′, Georgijevič 90+1′ (11 m)
KAU: Švedkauskas, Burdzilauskas (Bah-Traore 80′), Kerkez, Lekiatas, Jurjonas, Naah (Sirgedas 80′), Armanavičius (Edokpolor 31′), Georgijevič, Benchaib, Ourega (Chogadze 60′), Paulauskas (Černych 60′)
DAI: Mickevičius, Zabita, Reginaldo (Lubas 55′), Maksymenko (Zahladko 74′), Oostenbrink, Chikovani (Nakashidze 55′), Stočkunas, Achol, Ževzikovas, Koshkosh (Banevičius 55′), Faye (Obi Chinonso 46′)

A Lyga Matchday 21:

• 19.07.2025 – FK Žalgiris vs FC Džiugas Telšiai – 2:0
• 20.07.2025 – FK Paņevežys vs FA Šiauliai – 2:0
• 20.07.2025 – FK Sūduva vs FK Riteriai – 0:0
• 21.07.2025 – FK Kauno Žalgiris vs DFK Dainava Alytus – 3:0
• 13.08.2025 – FK Banga Gargždai vs Hegelmann FC – 19:00