Matchday 28 of the Lithuanian A Lyga saw FC Džiugas Telšiai held 1-1 at home by DFK Dainava Alytus, as both sides scored within two minutes in a fast-paced second half. The draw ended Džiugas’s hopes of extending their winning streak over Dainava this season.
Džiugas, who had not won at home in the league since June 25 against FK Riteriai, made several changes after a 1-3 defeat to FA Šiauliai before the international break. Ukrainian goalkeeper Danylo Ryabenko made his league debut in place of Marius Paukšte. Simonas Urbys, David Martin Anane, and Aram Baghdasaryan returned to the starting lineup, while Ibrahim Cisse returned from suspension.
Dainava, meanwhile, overhauled much of their defense following a loss to rivals Riteriai, with Ukrainian keeper Volodymyr Krynskyi returning after five months. Defenders Maksym Maksymenko, Nikoloz Chikovani, and Cheikh Faye were reinstated, and Jamaican newcomer Joseph DeZart made his first start of the season.
Džiugas controlled possession and looked the more dangerous side in the first half, but the opening 45 minutes remained largely uneventful, with both teams’ best chances coming from long-range efforts. The second half brought the excitement fans had been waiting for. Džiugas’s Oleksandr Kurtsev twice tested the Dainava goalkeeper from distance, while Manny Achol came close with a header for the visitors.
However, Dainava struck first. In the 77th minute, captain Ernestas Stočkunas delivered a precise corner to substitute Daniel Alemao, who headed home his first goal for the club to give the visitors the lead. Džiugas responded instantly. Within seconds, Sobowale cut in from the right and set up Kurtsev, who scored from close range to equalize, registering his ninth goal of the season. Despite dominating possession afterwards, Džiugas could not break down Dainava’s defense, and the match ended 1-1.
Džiugas have now gone five home games without a win but drew level on points with FK Panevėžys, who also drew against Sūduva. Dainava remain bottom with 16 points from 28 games, just one point behind ninth-placed Riteriai. Both teams face crucial games soon: Džiugas host FC Hegelmann in the Lithuanian Cup semi-final in five days and travel to leaders FK Kauno Žalgiris in the league next Sunday, while Dainava Alytus welcome FA Šiauliai next Friday.
FC Džiugas Telšiai vs DFK Dainava Alytus – 1:1 (0:0)
Goals: Kurtsev 78′ | Daniel Alemao 77′
A Lyga Matchday 28 resuts:
- 12.09.2025 – FK Sūduva vs FK Paņevežys – 1:1
- 12.09.2025 – FC Džiugas Telšiai vs DFK Dainava Alytus – 1:1
- 13.09.2025 – FK Banga Gargždai vs FK Žalgiris – 17:00
- 14.09.2025 – FK Kauno Žalgiris vs FK Riteriai – 16:00
- 14.09.2025 – FA Šiauliai vs FC Hegelmann – 18:25
| # | Club | GP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Kauno Žalgiris | 35 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 41 | 74 |
| 2 | Hegelmann FC | 35 | 20 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 64 |
| 3 | FK Žalgiris | 35 | 17 | 11 | 7 | 15 | 62 |
| 4 | FK Sūduva | 35 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 13 | 59 |
| 5 | FA Šiauliai | 35 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 51 |
| 6 | FK Panevėžys | 35 | 13 | 7 | 15 | 5 | 46 |
| 7 | FC Džiugas Telšiai | 35 | 13 | 6 | 16 | -8 | 45 |
| 8 | FK Banga Gargždai | 35 | 11 | 8 | 16 | 2 | 41 |
| 9 | FK Riteriai | 35 | 6 | 7 | 22 | -37 | 25 |
| 10 | DFK Dainava Alytus | 35 | 3 | 8 | 24 | -49 | 17 |
