By Titas Teiten
FK Žalgiris claimed a hard-fought victory over FK Riteriai on a rainy summer evening in Vilnius. Despite an early setback, the multiple Lithuanian champions turned the match around with experience and key moments of quality, while the bottom-placed visitors once again showed spirit but left empty-handed.
In their last home game against FK Sūduva Marijampolė, Žalgiris fans had returned to their section in the 70th minute, and it was expected that this time they would finally be back in their usual spot from the start, chanting and celebrating after the departure of president Vilma Venslovaitienė. Yet, although PIETU IV could be seen, they remained behind the fence inside the stadium grounds, as if waiting for the right moment to act.
On the pitch, the first surprise came from Riteriai. In the 15th minute, German midfielder Leif Estevez made a powerful run through the center. Spotting the move, three-time Lithuanian player of the year Arvydas Novikovas delivered a perfectly timed pass that split the defense and beat the offside line. Estevez found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and coolly netted his second A Lyga goal of the season.
Their joy, however, was short-lived. Just six minutes later, Žalgiris equalized in somewhat fortunate fashion. A cross from Nemanja Mihajlović on the left flank seemed destined for the goalkeeper, but defender Milanas Rutkovskis mishandled the ball, diverting it straight to Liviu Antal. The Romanian striker needed only the simplest of touches to level the score.
The 36-year-old veteran’s goal was quickly followed by a familiar scene that has become routine at Žalgiris home matches: a brief protest. Fans threw confetti onto the pitch and chanted the now-regular call of “Cheburin OUT.” A banner was also unfurled, reading: “The contract is there, the conscience is gone.”
Once again, the chants targeted coach Vladimir Cheburin, who responded with ironic applause, seemingly unsure of how else to react.
A chilly summer evening turned wet as rain began to fall, making conditions difficult for both sides.
In the 68th minute, the third goal of the match arrived. Giedrius Matulevičius delivered an excellent cross, and South Sudanese striker Machop Chol, positioned well in the box, struck from a tight angle. Despite the difficulty, his effort found the net and put the home team ahead.
In the end, FK Žalgiris secured a narrow but important win over a resilient Riteriai side that pushed Vladimir Cheburin’s men throughout the match.
The victory lifts Žalgiris into fifth place, keeping their European ambitions very much alive, while Riteriai remain bottom of the A Lyga table, sinking further into crisis.
FK Žalgiris vs FK Riteriai – 2:1 (1:1)
Goals: L.Estevez 15’ (RIT) | L.Antal 21’ (ŽAL) | M.Chol 68′ (ŽAL)
ŽAL: C.Olses, N.Abiam, Y.Kendysh, M.Šetkus, B.Tavares, K.Bička (G.Jarusevičius 90+2′), K.Hadji (M.Chol 46′), N.Mihajlovic (K.Lukaševič 76′), D.Salcinovic (G.Matulevičius 46′), O.Verbickas, L.Antal (J.Moutachy 76′)
RIT: A.Tuta, V.Bulatovic (M.Latvys 84′), M.Karamarko (S.Civilka 79′), A.Pierino, Ml Rutkovskis, C.Acolatse, L.Estevez, A.Kaulinis (T.Alekna 84′), A.Novikovas, A.Šveistrys, M.Mikulėnas (D.Carvalho 79′)
