It went down to the wire but FK Sūduva managed to avoid relegation from the Lithuania top flight, edging Be1 from Jonava in a penalty shoot-out.
Despite losing 1-2 in the first leg, the club from Marijampole came out on the home turf determined to turn their fortunes around. Despite early pressure from Be1 which culminated in a critical save by Giedrius Zenkevičius, Ugochukwu Oduenyi managed to net the ball twice in the first half alone, but both of these were disallowed.
Sūduva continued to build pressure in second half but to no result. Still trailing on aggregate after regulation time, they finally caught a break when Solodovnikov earned a penalty, masterfully converted by Lawson to take the game into extra time.
Both teams seemed reluctant to take risks in extra time and the game went to a penalty shoot-out. There, Sūduva proved themselves to be the more experienced side, comfortably winning 4-2. The keeper – Giedrius Zenkevičius – proved to be invaluable in the goal once again, making two saves.
With penalties deciding the two-leg contest, Sūduva will remain in the A Lyga and as for Be1 – if their performance this season is anything to go by, we, no doubt, will be hearing more from in the near future.