Džiugas Telšiai moved level on points with TOPlyga leaders FK Kauno Žalgiris after edging FA Šiauliai 4-3 in a thrilling encounter, completing a league double over the hosts by winning all three meetings between the sides this season. Pedro Bahia stole the headlines with a superb hat-trick, while Dāvis Ikaunieks scored twice for the home side in defeat.
The visitors made the perfect start, taking the lead after just five minutes. Valentino Vermeulen’s cross was initially met by Vilius Piliukaitis, whose header was blocked, but the midfielder reacted quickest to the loose ball and bundled it over the line for his second league goal of the season.
Šiauliai responded well and were back on level terms in the 16th minute. Following a corner kick, young defender Edgaras Bierontas nodded the ball into the path of Dāvis Ikaunieks, who calmly finished to score his first goal since joining the club.
The parity lasted only a few minutes as Džiugas quickly regained control through Pedro Bahia.
The Brazilian first restored the visitors’ lead with a composed finish from the middle of the penalty area before producing the goal of the match moments later, curling a stunning strike from around 22 metres into the far top corner to put Džiugas 3-1 ahead before half-time.
Šiauliai again fought their way back after the restart. Once more it came from a set-piece, as Daniel Romanovskij’s corner was scored by Divine Naah to reduce the deficit to one goal.
Džiugas were then handed a golden opportunity to restore their two-goal cushion when they were awarded a penalty. Bahia stepped up looking to complete his hat-trick, but goalkeeper Gustas Baliutavičius guessed correctly to make the save before also denying Valentino Vermeulen on the rebound.
The Brazilian would not be denied for long.
In the 57th minute, Denys Bunchukov threaded an excellent pass into Bahia’s path and the forward made no mistake, drilling a left-footed finish into the corner to complete his hat-trick and make it 4-2.
The hosts refused to give up and set up a tense finale in the 70th minute. After another penalty was initially saved, Dāvis Ikaunieks reacted first to convert the rebound, scoring his second goal of the evening and reducing the deficit to one once again.
Šiauliai almost rescued a dramatic point in the closing stages. Nineteen-year-old substitute Ugnius Vaitiekaitis, making his first league appearance since 15 March, found himself with a golden opportunity in front of goal but fired wide from close range.
Džiugas held on to secure a dramatic 4-3 victory, completing a perfect three wins from three league meetings against Šiauliai this season.
The win lifts Džiugas level on 37 points with league leaders FK Kauno Žalgiris, while FA Šiauliai remain bottom of the TOPlyga table with 13 points from 23 matches, now nine points behind eighth-placed FK Panevėžys.
FA Šiauliai vs FC Džiugas Telšiai – 3-4 (1-3)
Goals: Ikaunieks 16′ 70′, Naah 52′ | Piliukaitis 5′, Bahia 21′ 27′ 57′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Kauno Žalgiris |
21 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 40 | 15 | 25 | 37 |
| 2 |  Džiugas Telšiai |
23 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 34 | 27 | 7 | 37 |
| 3 |  FK Sūduva |
21 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 29 | 17 | 12 | 36 |
| 4 |  Transinvest |
22 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 32 | 29 | 3 | 35 |
| 5 |  FK Žalgiris |
21 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 33 | 24 | 9 | 34 |
| 6 |  FK Banga |
22 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 25 | 19 | 6 | 33 |
| 7 |  FC Hegelmann |
24 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 26 | 41 | -15 | 22 |
| 8 |  FK Panevėžys |
21 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 19 | 38 | -19 | 20 |
| 9 |  FA Šiauliai |
23 | 2 | 7 | 14 | 22 | 50 | -28 | 13 |
