FK Kauno Žalgiris, currently holding a training camp in Turkey, recorded another win in their pre-season friendly matches. The team coached by Eivinas Černiauskas defeated Danish side Esbjerg 2:1 (1:0) in a match played in Antalya.
Žalgiris created danger early in the game. In just the second minute, Amine Benchaib tested the opposition goalkeeper with a long-range effort, but the Danish keeper managed to make the save.
In the 17th minute, Rokas Lekiatas came close to opening the scoring with a header following a cross from Leo Ribeiro. Shortly afterwards, pressure from a set piece paid off. In the 19th minute, Gratas Sirgėdas delivered a pass, Benchaib flicked the ball on with his head inside the penalty area, and Davis Ikauniekas finished the move to give Žalgiris a 1:0 lead.
Almost half an hour into the match, Ikauniekas attempted another shot, though this time it did not trouble the goalkeeper. Kauno Žalgiris were close to doubling their advantage in the 40th minute when Leo Ribeiro struck the woodwork with an outside-of-the-foot effort from distance. The rebound fell to Ikauniekas, whose follow-up attempt was also dangerous.
Towards the end of the first half, Yukiyoshi Karashima had a clear chance after breaking through on goal, but failed to convert.
Esbjerg equalised shortly after the restart. Goalkeeper Deividas Mikelionis saved the first attempt, but the ball found its way into the net on the second try, making it 1:1.
In the 69th minute, substitute Fabien Ourega had a great opportunity to restore Žalgiris’ lead, but was unable to direct his effort on target. Another substitute, goalkeeper Joris Aliukonis, was called into action in the 74th minute, producing a save from a long-range shot.
Late in the match, Motiejus Burba tried his luck from distance, while Tautvydas Burdzilauskas narrowly missed with a header following a corner kick.
The winning goal came in the 87th minute. Leo Ribeiro intercepted the ball, carried it forward over several metres and finished confidently, sealing a 2:1 victory for Kauno Žalgiris.
Source: https://zalgiris.lt/naujienos/fk-kauno-zalgiris-turkijoje-iveike-danijos-kluba
