FK TransINVEST climbed to second place in the TOPlyga standings after a commanding 3-0 home victory over FA Šiauliai, with a first-half breakthrough, a second-half dismissal and a saved penalty all proving decisive in an eventful encounter.
Despite enjoying more possession throughout the opening half, TransINVEST initially struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. In fact, the visitors came closest during the early stages when Artem Baftalovskyi unleashed a long-range effort that drifted narrowly wide of the post.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 37th minute with the hosts’ first genuine chance of the match. Mykola Musolitin burst into the penalty area down the right before cutting the ball back for Yehor Glushach, whose initial effort was saved by Gustas Baliutavičius. However, the rebound fell kindly to Dominykas Barauskas, who tapped home from close range to score his first TOPlyga goal of the season.
Šiauliai head coach Dovydas Lastauskas looked to change the game at half-time by introducing Patrikas Pranckus. The substitute almost made an immediate impact, seeing a long-range strike blocked in the 52nd minute, but his evening took a dramatic turn just five minutes later.
Referee initially missed Pranckus striking Musolitin in the face with his elbow, but after a VAR review the decision was overturned and the midfielder was shown a straight red card just 12 minutes after coming on. Musolitin was left visibly dazed by the challenge but was able to continue after receiving treatment.
The numerical advantage quickly paid off for the home side. After pinning Šiauliai deep inside their own half, the ball eventually broke to Amadou Traore, who fired home with a composed finish to double TransINVEST’s advantage and seemingly put the contest beyond doubt.
The visitors were handed an unexpected lifeline moments later. Following a corner, the ball struck the arm of a TransINVEST defender inside the penalty area, prompting the referee to award a penalty after pointing to the spot.
However, any hopes of a comeback disappeared almost instantly. Dāvis Ikaunieks stepped up but saw his penalty brilliantly saved by Moldovan goalkeeper Igor Mostovoi, preserving the hosts’ two-goal cushion.
TransINVEST completed the victory deep into stoppage time through Nana Akosah-Bempah. The Ghanaian forward, who only returned from a five-month injury layoff two weeks ago, beat two defenders on the right flank before cutting inside and curling a left-footed finish into the far corner for his first goal of the season.
The result marked TransINVEST’s third victory in four meetings against Šiauliai this season and lifted them into second place with 39 points. League leaders Sūduva remain three points clear but have played two matches fewer. Meanwhile, Šiauliai stay rooted in ninth place, seven points adrift of both Hegelmann and Panevėžys.
TransINVEST’s next league fixture comes after the international break in what promises to be a major clash, as they host league leaders Sūduva on September 6. Šiauliai, meanwhile, will also face Sūduva next Sunday in another difficult test.
FK TransINVEST vs FA Šiauliai – 3-0 (1-0)
Goals: Baravykas 37′, Traore 75′, Akosah-Bempah 90+2′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FK Sūduva |
23 | 11 | 9 | 3 | 33 | 17 | 16 | 42 |
| 2 |  Transinvest |
25 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 36 | 32 | 4 | 39 |
| 3 |  Kauno Žalgiris |
22 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 41 | 16 | 25 | 38 |
| 4 |  FK Žalgiris |
23 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 37 | 27 | 10 | 37 |
| 5 |  FK Banga |
24 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 29 | 22 | 7 | 37 |
| 6 |  Džiugas Telšiai |
25 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 34 | 31 | 3 | 37 |
| 7 |  FC Hegelmann |
25 | 4 | 11 | 10 | 27 | 42 | -15 | 23 |
| 8 |  FK Panevėžys |
24 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 21 | 41 | -20 | 23 |
| 9 |  FA Šiauliai |
25 | 3 | 7 | 15 | 23 | 53 | -30 | 16 |
