Lithuania head coach Edgaras Jankauskas said his side produced enough chances to score despite a 0:2 home defeat by Georgia in Sunday’s friendly in Kaunas.
The hosts matched Georgia for long periods and went in level at the break, but Georges Mikautadze struck twice in the second half to settle the contest. The first came from the penalty spot after 70 minutes, before the Georgia forward added a second later on.
Jankauskas said the result was the main disappointment, but felt his players had delivered much of what had been asked of them against high-level opposition.
“The most important thing is that we did not get a positive result, but in other aspects we succeeded,” he said. “We played against a very serious team and we were not inferior to them. They are technically strong, they have players performing at a higher level, and that makes the difference.
“But in terms of what we did on the pitch, how we carried out the plan and tried to limit their most dangerous player, I think we created enough chances to score. Of course, we made our own mistakes and that is why we conceded.”
The Lithuania coach was particularly frustrated by the penalty, saying his side had looked capable of going in front before one rash moment changed the game.
“It is very disappointing to concede that kind of penalty,” he said. “Until then it felt like we were thinking only about how to be more dangerous going forward, and that our goal was realistic. But we were playing against a top-level side that breaks quickly and has fast players.
“Because of that desire, we made an unnecessary action and took a risk we did not need to take. It happened because of passion and desire, but sometimes the heart takes over.”
Jankauskas also said the contest bore little resemblance to a routine friendly, with both teams fully committed throughout. He believes the match offered useful preparation ahead of Lithuania’s Baltic Cup semi-final against Latvia in Kaunas on 6 June.
“This week was a good one, even if it was very short,” he said. “The players were in a good physical condition. We still have absentees and we have players who can strengthen this team, and some who can be in even better shape. We lost and we are disappointed, but we know the performance was good and the team was mature and solid.”
Source: https://www.lff.lt/e-jankauskas-ivertino-dvikova-su-sakartvelu-sukureme-uztektinai-progu-ivarciui/
