Kauno Žalgiris opened the fourth round of the Toplyga in dominant fashion, defeating FK Panevėžys 4-0 in front of their home supporters.
The hosts came into the match as the only team in the league with a perfect record. Head coach Eivinas Černiauskas made only slight rotations to the lineup after his team’s victory over Džiugas Telšiai three days earlier. Joris Moutachy returned from suspension, while Latvian forward Dāvis Ikaunieks started the match on the bench for the first time this season.
Panevėžys, coached by Roland Vrabec, were still searching for their first win of the season after drawing against Hegelmann three days earlier. The visitors handed striker Marko Bačanin his first start of the campaign, while 17-year-old Dovydas Balsys made both his season debut and first start.
The home side began the match aggressively and opened the scoring in the 8th minute. After an excellent pass from Amine Benchaib, Motiejus Burba attempted to lift the ball over the goalkeeper but failed to convert. The rebound fell to Fabien Ourega, who calmly finished to give Kauno Žalgiris the lead.
Around the middle of the first half, Leo Ribeiro created danger with a run down the right flank, but his left-footed shot was blocked by Rokas Rasimavičius.
Kauno Žalgiris then struck twice in quick succession. In the 32nd minute, Ribeiro attempted to deliver a cross, but Burba allowed the ball to pass through, and the Brazilian’s effort ended up in the net. Just a few moments later, Burba found Ourega at the front of another attack. Although the goalkeeper saved Ourega’s shot, Benchaib was perfectly positioned to score from the rebound and extend the lead to 3-0.
Early in the second half, Kauno Žalgiris goalkeeper Tomas Švedkauskas was called into action when Rasimavičius made a dangerous run into the penalty area. Shortly afterward at the other end, Vytautas Černiauskas denied attempts from Benchaib and Gratas Sirgėdas.
Benchaib continued to trouble the Panevėžys defense throughout the second half. One of his shots was saved by the goalkeeper, while another attack was stopped by a deflection. Late in the match, however, the Belgian forward earned a penalty after drawing a foul inside the box. He stepped up himself and confidently converted the spot kick, completing his brace.
With the victory, last season’s champions now have 12 points from four matches, maintaining their perfect start to the season. Panevėžys, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with just two points from their opening games.
FK Kauno Žalgiris vs FK Panevežys – 4-0 (3-0)
Goals: Ourega 8′, Leo Ribeiro 32′, Benchaib 35′ 90′ (Penalty kick)
Round 4
FK Panevėžys
FK Sūduva
FA Šiauliai
FK Banga
Džiugas Telšiai| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kauno Žalgiris |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 12 |
| 2 | FK Žalgiris |
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| 3 | FK Banga |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | FK Sūduva |
4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 5 | Transinvest |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| 6 | Džiugas Telšiai |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| 7 | FA Šiauliai |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 2 |
| 8 | FC Hegelmann |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 2 |
| 9 | FK Panevėžys |
4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | -7 | 2 |
| 10 | FK Riteriai |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 10 | -9 | 0 |
