FK Panevėžys snapped their three-match losing streak on Saturday, holding off a late comeback attempt to defeat FA Šiauliai 3-2 in the opening match of Toplyga Matchday 18.
The opening stages offered little in terms of clear-cut opportunities, although both sides came close to breaking the deadlock. Kwadwo Asamoah managed to get behind the Šiauliai defence but was denied by goalkeeper Gustas Baliutavičius, while at the other end Artiom Baftalovskyi found himself in a similar position but could not beat the goalkeeper either.
The game burst into life in the closing minutes of the first half. Panevežys struck twice in quick succession through an identical route. Long balls forward caught the visitors’ defence out, allowing Oleksandr Kurtsev and Kwadwo Asamoah to win their one-on-one battles against Baliutavičius and give the hosts a commanding 2-0 lead with goals in the 42nd and 43rd minutes.
Šiauliai responded immediately before the break and ensured they would not head into the dressing room empty-handed. In the second minute of first-half stoppage time, Artiom Baftalovskyi finished off the visitors’ first shot on target of the evening to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
Panevėžys restored their two-goal cushion shortly after the restart. Another rapid counterattack sliced through the Šiauliai defence in the 51st minute, with Ibrahim Asante providing the assist for Asamoah to score his second goal of the match and make it 3-1.
Having regained control of the scoreline, Panevežys allowed Šiauliai more possession and nearly paid the price. The visitors came close when Nojus Stankevičius struck the post from close range, before continuing to push for a way back into the match.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 66th minute when Nedas Garbaliauskas pulled another goal back. The midfielder was a constant threat throughout the second half, forcing saves from the goalkeeper and sending several efforts narrowly off target as Šiauliai searched for an equaliser.
Despite the late pressure, Panevežys managed to see out the victory. The hosts also had opportunities to put the game beyond doubt, coming close on several occasions to adding a fourth goal but failing to take their chances.
The match marked the debut of Lithuanian international Arvydas Novikovas for Šiauliai, while Nauris Petkevičius who returned from India made his first appearance for Panevežys.
The victory ends Panevėžys’ three-match losing run, while Šiauliai suffered a third consecutive league defeat.
FK Panevežys vs FA Šiauliai – 3-2 (2-1)
Goals: Asamoah 42′ 52′, Kurtsev 43′ | Baftalovskyi 45+2′, Garbaliauskas 66′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Džiugas Telšiai |
18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 34 |
| 2 |  Kauno Žalgiris |
19 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 37 | 16 | 21 | 33 |
| 3 |  Transinvest |
18 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 32 | 21 | 11 | 31 |
| 4 |  FK Banga |
19 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 26 | 13 | 13 | 30 |
| 5 |  FK Sūduva |
18 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 25 | 14 | 11 | 29 |
| 6 |  FK Žalgiris |
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 27 | 23 | 4 | 28 |
| 7 |  FK Panevėžys |
18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 18 | 32 | -14 | 21 |
| 8 |  FC Hegelmann |
18 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 19 | 26 | -7 | 19 |
| 9 |  FA Šiauliai |
19 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 20 | 32 | -12 | 17 |
| 10 |  FK Riteriai |
16 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 5 | 42 | -37 | 3 |
