Kretinga Minija beat current Cup holders Panevėžys 2-1 at home to book a place in the Lithuanian Cup semi-finals, continuing their impressive record against top tier sides, having previously overcome Sūduva on penalties.
Estonian Nikita Komissarov scored inside the opening five minutes to give Minija an early lead. Panevėžys replied as Matas Ramanauskas struck narrowly wide from distance, Lovro Grajfoner hit the post, and Justinas Januševskis saw a late first-half header cleared off the line following a corner, but were unable to find the equaliser.
The second half began badly for Panevėžys as Minija doubled their lead in the 50th minute, Deividas Pipiras converting after an attack down the right. Panevėžys pulled one back six minutes later when Ernestas Veliulis converted a penalty won by Salomon Kouadio, but could not manage another. Nauris Petkevičius failed to hit the target from close range, while Minija goalkeeper Vykintas Gaudiešius saved three efforts from Marko Bačanin.
Panevėzys finished a man down as Ernestas Veliulis was shown a late red card for striking an opponent, compounding a frustrating evening for the Toplyga side.
Minija will learn their semi-final opponents on Wednesday evening after second-tier Dainava, currently fifth in Pirma Lyga, face TransInvest, who sit fourth in Toplyga. Minija are top of the Lithuanian second tier after 14 matches, with Babrungas two points behind with a game in hand.
