Following their victory over the no longer TOPLYGA-eligible FK Riteriai, FK Žalgiris Vilnius extended their winning streak to three matches with a composed 3:0 triumph over FK Panevėžys in the Lithuanian capital.
The match in Vilnius featured several new faces. One of FK Žalgiris’ latest signings, Ukrainian forward Stanislav Bilenkyi, was included in the starting XI, while other newcomers Danny Koy Lupano and Dominik Franke began the game on the bench.
For FK Panevėžys, however, new arrival Nauris Petkevičius will have to wait a little longer for his debut. The Lithuanian striker was not registered for the match and was therefore unavailable for selection.
Earlier in the day, FK Žalgiris also learned their opponents for the first qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. The Vilnius-based side will take on Montenegrin club OFK Petrovac in their opening European tie.
The breakthrough came in the 31st minute, and fortune was on FK Žalgiris’ side. As the hosts put together their first truly dangerous attack of the match, Nikola Petkovic delivered an intelligent pass to Yuri Kendysh just outside the box. The experienced midfielder struck the ball first time, and his effort found the back of the net after clipping the crossbar on its way in.
FK Žalgiris continued to press and won a penalty just moments later when Klaudijus Upstas was brought down inside the box. Nikola Petkovic stepped up and calmly converted from the spot in the 35th minute, doubling his side’s advantage.
Shortly after the start of the second half, FK Žalgiris announced an attendance of 2,195 spectators. Given the far-from-ideal weather conditions in Vilnius, the figure represented a very positive turnout for the match.
FK Žalgiris put the result beyond doubt in the 83rd minute with their third goal of the evening. New signing Stanislav Bilenkyi, making a dangerous run down the left flank, delivered a precise pass into the penalty area. Marko Capan met it with a left-footed strike, finding the back of the net to cap off an excellent team move.
The Croatian midfielder’s goal proved to be the final one of the match, as FK Žalgiris secured a comfortable and convincing 3:0 victory over the team currently sitting eighth in the TOPLYGA standings.
Despite the win, Andrius Skerla’s side remain in fourth place, three points behind league leaders Džiugas Telšiai. However, the leaders still have a match to play in the current round, meaning the gap could yet widen.
FK Žalgiris vs FK Panevėžys – 3:0 (2:0)
Goals: Y.Kendysh 31′ (ŽAL) | N.Petkovic 35′ (ŽAL) | M.Capan 83′ (ŽAL)
ŽAL: V.Šarkauskas, K.Upstas (D.Franke 46′), P.Bosancic, G.Turda (D.Lupano 72′), D.Šešplaukis, Y.Kendysh, O.Verbickas, P.Golubickas (M.Šetkus 85′), B.Teixeira, S.Bilenkyi (L.Antal 85′), N.Petkovic (M.Capan 72′)
PAN: V.Černiauskas, K.Asamoah (M.Bacanin 79′), I.Asante, J.Bopesu (E.Muratovic 46′), E.Burdzilauskas (D.Balsys 61′), L.Grajfoner, J.Januševskij, S.Kerkez, M.Ramanauskas, J.Simon (O.Kurtsev 45+2′), E.Veliulis
