The Darius and Girėnas Stadium hosted the first encounter between the youth champions of Lithuania and Finland, with Kauno Be1 NFA playing out a 1:1 draw against their HJK counterparts.
The first half saw few clear-cut opportunities. Kauno managed three shots on goal, while the Finnish champions had just one. Be1 NFA came closest in the 17th minute when Tomas Gutauskas fired on target, following a promising chance for Justas Rakauskas.
Early in the second half, Gerdas Barkauskas and Karolis Kuodis both tested the opposition, but it was Tomas Gutauskas who finally broke the deadlock in the 60th minute with a solo run, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
After conceding, the Finns took control of the game, forcing Kauno to defend patiently. Their persistence paid off in the 81st minute when Arto Berisha leveled the score.
Neither team was able to find a winner in the remaining minutes, setting up an exciting rematch which will take place on October 1 in Helsinki, with the winner of the tie set to face Turkey’s Trabzonspor.
Be1 NFA U19 vs HJK U19 – 1:1 (0:0)
Goals: Gutauskas 60′ | Berisha 81′
Info: https://www.lff.lt/be1-nfa-debiutas-uefa-jaunimo-lygoje-pazymetas-lygiosiomis/
