--- title: "A Lyga champions Žalgiris began their title defense with a narrow victory" date: 2025-03-02T21:27:00Z lang: en author: "Janis Vitols" canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/a-lyga-champions-zalgiris-began-their-title-defense-with-a-narrow-victory/ categories: ["Toplyga"] --- # A Lyga champions Žalgiris began their title defense with a narrow victory ![YouTube player](https://i0.wp.com/i.ytimg.com/vi/ZVIMyWZ__-0/maxresdefault.jpg?w=1080&ssl=1) **Defending champions FK Žalgiris began their league campaign with a narrow 2-1 victory over FC Džiugas Telšiai. The decisive goal came from 21-year-old Gustas Jarusevičius.** The match’s first goal was scored in the 16th minute when a moment of confusion in the penalty area allowed one of the Žalgiris new signing Kassim Hadji to capitalize with a precise shot, beating the Džiugas goalkeeper. Žalgiris had several opportunities to extend their lead in the first half, but goalkeeper Marius Paukšte made two outstanding saves to keep the score at 1-0. In the 41st minute, Džiugas initiated a promising counter-attack with a 4-to-2 advantage. However, Hirotaka Yamada, opting to take a shot despite having better options available, saw his good attempt saved by the goalkeeper. In the following the corner kick Džiugas got their goal, when captain Lukas Ankudinovas scored with a perfect header surprising the home fans. Paukšte continued his impressive performance in the second half, making multiple crucial saves. However, in the 72nd minute, he was unable to stop a header from substitute Gustas Jarusevičius, who found the back of the net following a well-placed cross from the right side. Although Paukšte got a hand to it, he couldn’t prevent the goal. In stoppage time, Džiugas pushed hard for an equalizer, but their efforts fell short, allowing FK Žalgiris to secure the victory and start their title defense with three points. FK Žalgiris will host FK Riteriai in their next league match on Friday, while FC Džiugas Telšiai will play away against FK Kauno Žalgiris on Saturday. **FK Žalgiris – FC Džiugas Telšiai 2:1 (1:1)** **Goals:** Hadji 14′, Jarusevičius 71′ | Ankudinovas 42′ **Yellow Card:** Silkaitis 61′ **Žalgiris:** Tordai – Moutachy, Zahary, Kendysh, Tavares – Fofana (Setkus 87′), Verbickas, Bička (Jarusevičius 46′) – Hadji, Burba (Klimavičius 90+6′), Mihajlovic (Matyzonok 46′) **Džiugas:** Paukšte – Silkaitis, Suško, Pushkarov, Kulbachuk (Trajkovski 79′) – Kayramani (Baghdasaryan 68′), Pilukaitis, Ankudinovas, Cisse (Chernozub 79′), Yamada (Vinčkus 49′) – Urbys (Vasiliauskas 68′) **Referee:** Robertas Šmitas
#ClubGPWDLGDPts
1Kauno Žalgiris3522854174
2Hegelmann FC35204111264
3FK Žalgiris35171171562
4FK Sūduva35151461359
5FA Šiauliai3514912651
6FK Panevėžys3513715546
7FC Džiugas Telšiai3513616-845
8FK Banga Gargždai3511816241
9FK Riteriai356722-3725
10DFK Dainava Alytus353824-4917