Bunchukov scores from his own half, Džiugas with two late goals beat Riteriai
Džiugas Telšiai secured their second victory of the season in the final match of the fourth round of the Toplyga, defeating FK Riteriai 2-0 thanks to two late goals. The match was sealed by Ukrainian midfielder Denys Bunchukov, who scored spectacularly from his own half in stoppage time.
Photo: Kulis Photography Riteriai remain the only team in the Lithuanian top division without a single point after the opening four matches of the season. Meanwhile, Džiugas continue their strong start, collecting seven points from a possible twelve.
The match began with an early setback for the visiting side. Just eight seconds into the game, team captain Lukas Ankudinovas was injured in a challenge with Riteriai forward Meinardas Mikulėnas while contesting the ball. Ankudinovas injured his shoulder and initially tried to continue, but was eventually forced off in the sixth minute.
Riteriai created the better chances in the first half. Mikulėnas missed a major opportunity from a tight angle with the goal open, while Jonas Usavičius sent a long-range effort over the crossbar.
After the break, Džiugas improved significantly and began to create more dangerous chances, while the hosts struggled to produce opportunities. The breakthrough finally came in the 84th minute. Substitute Artem Marchuk won a duel and pushed the ball forward into the penalty area, where wing-back Valentino Vermeulen controlled it with his chest and finished with an acrobatic half-volley to score for the second match in a row.
Riteriai pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but their efforts left them exposed at the back. Deep into stoppage time, after regaining possession in their own half, Denys Bunchukov spotted the goalkeeper off his line and struck a remarkable shot from his own half to secure the victory.
With the win, Džiugas move up to third place with seven points, while Riteriai remain bottom of the table, still searching for their first points of the season.
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Kauno Žalgiris |
28 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 56 | 20 | 36 | 51 |
| 2 |  FK Sūduva |
29 | 13 | 11 | 5 | 39 | 29 | 10 | 50 |
| 3 |  FK Žalgiris |
29 | 14 | 5 | 10 | 45 | 34 | 11 | 47 |
| 4 |  Transinvest |
28 | 13 | 6 | 9 | 43 | 35 | 8 | 45 |
| 5 |  FK Banga |
28 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 32 | 28 | 4 | 41 |
| 6 |  Džiugas Telšiai |
28 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 36 | 40 | -4 | 38 |
| 7 |  FK Panevėžys |
28 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 29 | 43 | -14 | 32 |
| 8 |  FC Hegelmann |
29 | 4 | 14 | 11 | 31 | 48 | -17 | 26 |
| 9 |  FA Šiauliai |
29 | 3 | 8 | 18 | 24 | 58 | -34 | 17 |
Round 32
Džiugas TelšiaiFK ŽalgirisFK SūduvaKauno Žalgiris
