Lithuanian international defender Justas Lasickas and HNK Rijeka secured a 1-0 away victory over Cypriot side Omonia in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play-off round.
The 28-year-old Lithuanian was named in the starting line-up for the second consecutive match for the Croatian champions. Rijeka travelled to face the current Cypriot league leaders and last season’s bronze medallists in Nicosia.
The first half was largely controlled by the home side, who created the more dangerous chances but failed to convert. After the break, the balance of play evened out as Rijeka grew into the match.
The decisive moment came in the 87th minute. English forward Daniel Adu-Adjei, who had just come off the bench, scored the winning goal. It was his third goal of this Conference League campaign. The young striker previously developed in the academies of Fulham and Bournemouth.
Rijeka were reduced to ten men late in the match, but they defended resolutely in the closing minutes to preserve the clean sheet and take a narrow advantage into the return leg. The sides will meet again next week in Rijeka.
Lasickas played the full 90 minutes. In his first season with the Croatian club, he has now made 25 appearances in all competitions.
Before the second leg, Rijeka face a significant domestic fixture away to Hajduk Split.
Elsewhere, Sigma Olomouc playing without the injured Lithuanian international Artūr Dolžnikov drew 1-1 at home against Swiss side Lausanne. The return leg will be played next Thursday in Switzerland.
