---
title: "Lithuania and Suriname play out goalless draw in Mindaugas Čepas debut"
date: 2026-11-12T19:49:58Z
lang: en
author: "Kristupas Kamarauskas"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/lithuania-and-suriname-play-out-goalless-draw-in-mindaugas-cepas-debut/
categories: ["Friendlies", "Lithuania"]
---

# Lithuania and Suriname play out goalless draw in Mindaugas Čepas debut
**Lithuania played out a goalless draw against Suriname in interim head coach Mindaugas Čepas’ debut, completing the Baltic nation’s confederation map as Arnas Voitinovičius and Nikita Pavlovskij earned their first senior international caps.**

Lithuania faced Suriname, completing Lithuania’s confederation map by playing a nation from every single confederation. Suriname were viewed as slight favorites by the bookmakers and held a marginal advantage in starting XI market value.

This marked the debut of Mindaugas Čepas with the Lithuanian national team, who has taken over temporarily while confirming he is in the race for the permanent job. Young Benfica B goalkeeper Arnas Voitinovičius and Nikita Pavlovskij – the first player from Džiugas to represent the national team – made their debuts.

Suriname were without arguably their best player, Sheraldo Becker from Mainz, who has already scored two goals and registered four assists in the Bundesliga. Meanwhile, Lithuania missed starting goalkeepers Edvinas Gertmonas and Tomas Švedkauskas, defender Edgaras Utkus, and midfielder Vykintas Slivka.

**Match highlights**

**0′** Kick-off.

**8′** Artur Dolžnikov is fouled and Gvidas Gineitis takes the direct free-kick. Pijus Širvys, unmarked, tries to head it behind him into a more open area, but the ball goes over the bar.

**11′** A good through ball by Dolžnikov heads into the penalty area toward Armandas Kučys, though it carries slightly too much weight for him to reach it in a dangerous position.

**23′** Following a Širvys direct free-kick, a heavy concentration of Lithuanians gathers in Suriname’s final third. Paulius Golubickas receives the ball in the middle of the box, turns cleanly to find space and beat his marker, but his shot is blocked.

**38′** Another Širvys header. Similar to the eighth-minute chance, Gineitis delivers a direct free-kick onto Širvys, though the earlier opportunity was slightly more favorable for the hosts. His effort goes wide.

**HT review**

Lithuania struggled to bypass Suriname’s midfield at the start of the half, with Suriname also holding slightly more ball control. Possession later became almost identical, while Suriname looked toothless and failed to register a single chance.

The most dangerous moment of the half came in the eighth minute through Pijus Širvys’ header from a Gineitis free-kick. Širvys also impressed defensively in his first national team appearance since March following injuries.

**61′** Suriname produce their first dangerous shot of the match, saved by Vincentas Šarkauskas.

**66′** A wonderful volley out of nowhere from Domantas Šluta earns a corner after a powerful strike from outside the box.

**71′** Suriname’s best chance of the match sees Joël Piroe shoot from deep inside the box, with Šarkauskas saving the effort with his face.

**79′** An energetic Lithuania side push hard for a winner. Motiejus Burba delivers a precise pass from the wing to Gratas Sirgėdas, who misses the target.

**FT review**

Despite trailing in possession for almost the entire game, Lithuania finished with a slight advantage in overall ball control. A draw was a fair result, though if there had to be a winner, Lithuania created far sharper chances while Suriname looked uninspiring. Domantas Šluta was the only Lithuanian player to register a shot on target in the second half, doing so twice.

Two players made their international debuts in a solid first outing for Mindaugas Čepas. Lithuania’s most dangerous chances came through Pijus Širvys’ unmarked eighth-minute header and Sirgėdas’ 79th-minute effort, alongside several promising openings that were blocked before reaching goal.

Lithuania face Liechtenstein at home on Monday in their final UEFA Nations League match of this international window. To achieve their objective of topping their League D group, Lithuania must beat Liechtenstein and hope Azerbaijan lose or draw against the same opposition.

**Lithuania 0-0 Suriname (0-0)**