In a Toplyga Matchday 15 clash, Nigerian forward Abdel Kader Njoya produced one of the goals of the season, while Brazilian attacker Wesley Gabriel added a brace as FC Hegelmann defeated FK Žalgiris 3-1 away from home. The defeat means Andrius Skerla’s side has now lost three of their last five matches and continues to struggle for consistency.
Hegelmann opened the scoring in the 19th minute when, after a cross from the left by Vedad Radonja, Wesley Gabriel beat Žalgiris defender Saba Mamatsashvili at the far post and headed home from close range to make it 1-0.
Žalgiris responded only a few minutes later through a well-worked move of their own. Mamatsashvili partially redeemed himself for the opening goal by creating space on the left flank and delivering a quality cross into the box, where Croatian midfielder Marko Capan powered a header into the net for his first goal in a Žalgiris shirt.
The visitors regained the lead in the 38th minute, once again through Wesley Gabriel, but this time thanks to an excellent piece of individual skill. The Brazilian attacker dribbled past three defenders before cutting inside and unleashing a strike from outside the penalty area that slightly surprised goalkeeper Carlos Olses, with the ball flying into the far corner. Remarkably, Gabriel had not scored a single goal this season before netting twice on Sunday.
Early in the second half, Hegelmann goalkeeper Rokas Bagdonavičius was finally called into serious action, saving a long-range effort from Petar Bosančić that was heading on target, while a dangerous free kick from Yury Kendysh narrowly flew over the crossbar moments later.
However, despite several attacking substitutions from the hosts, including the introduction of veteran winger Liviu Antal, it was Hegelmann who delivered the decisive blow in spectacular fashion.
In the 71st minute, Njoya scored what could easily become the goal of the season in Lithuania. After a Žalgiris defender cleared a corner out of the penalty area, a Hegelmann player lofted the ball back into the box. Positioned perfectly, Njoya reacted instantly and produced an athletic first-time bicycle kick, smashing the ball powerfully into the net to make it 3-1.
Žalgiris pushed forward late on and controlled possession, but struggled to create truly dangerous opportunities against Hegelmann’s disciplined defending. Their best chance came deep into stoppage time, when Antal found himself in an excellent position in front of a goal, only for Bagdonavičius to produce another superb save.
In front of more than 3,400 spectators in Vilnius, Žalgiris continued to stumble under Skerla’s management, suffering a third defeat in their last five matches. Meanwhile, Hegelmann ended a three-game winless streak and collected only their third victory of the season.
Despite the result, Žalgiris remain sixth in the standings, while Hegelmann stay eighth, now just two points behind the Vilnius club.
Žalgiris will play one final match before the Baltic Cup break next Sunday in the highly anticipated Žalgiris derby at Darius and Girėnas Stadium, while Hegelmann will travel to face one of the league’s top sides, FK TransINVEST.
Žalgiris Vilnius vs FC Hegelmann – 1-3 (1-2)
Goals: Capan 28′ | Wesley 19′ 38′, Njoya 71′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Kauno Žalgiris |
15 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 34 | 12 | 22 | 29 |
| 2 |  Transinvest |
14 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 25 | 14 | 11 | 25 |
| 3 |  Džiugas Telšiai |
14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 24 |
| 4 |  FK Banga |
15 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 21 | 12 | 9 | 22 |
| 5 |  FK Sūduva |
15 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 22 |
| 6 |  FK Žalgiris |
15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 20 | 18 | 2 | 19 |
| 7 |  FK Panevėžys |
14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 21 | -7 | 18 |
| 8 |  FC Hegelmann |
15 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 16 | 22 | -6 | 17 |
| 9 |  FA Šiauliai |
14 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 22 | -11 | 13 |
| 10 |  FK Riteriai |
13 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 34 | -31 | 3 |
