As part of the 23rd round of the TOPLYGA, FK Žalgiris Vilnius delivered a composed performance on home soil, securing an important 3:1 victory over FK TransINVEST.
The first genuine scoring opportunity arrived in the 17th minute when TransINVEST midfielder Domantas Šluta surged down the left flank, weaved past several Žalgiris defenders, and unleashed a dangerous effort from inside the penalty area. However, luck was not on the visitors’ side, as his shot crashed against the woodwork, denying Marius Stankevičius’ men the opening goal.
Žalgiris made the most of their next clear-cut chance. Following a pass from Paulius Golubickas, Ukrainian midfielder Stanislav Bilenkyi did well to retain possession despite a challenge from Denis Bošnjak before firing a precise strike from just outside the penalty area into the net to give the home side the lead.
The hosts doubled their advantage just before half-time, scoring in the 41st minute after a brilliantly executed counter-attack that began deep inside their own half. The move started when left-back Dominic Franke won possession from TransINVEST before driving the attack forward. The German eventually provided the final pass for Nikola Petkovic, who calmly applied the finishing touch from close range to make it 2:0.
Just a few minutes into the second half, FK Žalgiris won a corner, and once again it was Petkovic who rose to the occasion. The in-form forward headed home his second goal of the match, with the TransINVEST defence offering little resistance and failing to pose any real challenge.
Nevertheless, TransINVEST refused to give up. Following a dangerous cross from Mykola Musolitin on the right flank, striker Stefan Milosevic reacted decisively, meeting the ball with a precise finish to score the visitors’ first goal of the match in the 69th minute.
Ultimately, the goal proved to be nothing more than a consolation, as it was not enough to spark a genuine FK TransINVEST comeback. Despite Žalgiris’ player Bilenkyi being sent off after receiving a second yellow card late in the match, the score remained 3:1 until the final whistle.
FK Žalgiris Vilnius vs FK TransINVEST – 3:1 (2:0)
Goals: S.Bilenkyi (ŽAL) 23′ | N.Petkovic (ŽAL) 41′ | N.Petkovic (ŽAL) 50′ | S.Milosevic (TRA) 69′
ŽAL: V.Šarkauskas, D.Šešplaukis (K.Upstas), D.Koy Lupano, P.Bosancic, D.Franke (S.Mamatsahsvili), I.Lytvynenko (L.Antal 82′), M.Capan, P.Golubickas (M.Vareika 61′), S.Bilenkyi, N.Mihajlovic (B.Teixeira 61′), N.Petkovic
TRA: I.Mostovei, R.Šveikauskas, E.Girdvainis, D.Barauskas, M.Musolitin, I.Bilbao, D.Bosnjak (A.Traore 46′), B.Tavares (Koffi 67′), D.Šluta (E.Kloniūnas 67′), Y.Glushach (N.Petkus 87′), C.Nwoga (S.Milosevic 46′)
