Šiauliai hold champions in goalless clash

What was supposed to be a pretty exciting game between the Lithuanian champions FK Žalgiris and a promising FA Šiauliai team, turned out to be yet again a dissapointing result for V.Cheburin’s men and a pretty boring game for spectators.

The match between the 7th and 4th placed teams in this season’s A Lyga championship turned out to be a memorable one for Nigerian center-back Nelson Abiam, who made his season debut by starting in the lineup.

The first real chance of the game came in the 5th minute, when Henrique Devens received a well-placed pass from Giedrius Matulevičius and fired a shot on target. However, Giedrius Baliutavičius was alert and collected the ball comfortably.

Šiauliai responded in the 11th minute with a shot on target of their own. Gabrielius Micevičius took a soft strike that posed little threat, easily caught by the goalkeeper.

The game was intense and aggressive overall, with numerous fouls committed by both sides.

Midway through the first half, a surprising free-kick from over 30 meters was taken by Micevičius. While the shot was off target, it was dangerous enough to startle Carlos Olses and underlined the young winger’s growing importance to his team.

A few minutes later, N. Mihajlović made a powerful attempt after a run down the left flank, shooting from outside the box. Yet again, Baliutavičius was there to make the save.

In the 28th minute, Micevičius had another go, but the outcome was the same – the goalkeeper calmly collected the ball.

One of the best chances of the first half came in the 35th minute, when Ovidijus Verbickas had a clear header inside the box. Unfortunately for his team, the effort went wide.

All in all, the first half was evenly matched, with few clear-cut opportunities and strong defensive performances from both teams.

The second half kicked off with immediate action, as Yury Kendysh unleashed a precise shot from outside the box in the 48th minute. However, Giedrius Baliutavičius was well-positioned and made a solid save.

FK Žalgiris kept up the pressure, and just four minutes later, N. Mihajlović threatened again with a dangerous effort in the 52nd minute. This time, though, the shot went of the target.

Tensions flared shortly afterward, as an altercation broke out in the 54th minute between Šiauliai’s goalkeeper and Žalgiris’ forward Henrique Devens. Both players received yellow cards, the first cautions of the match.

N. Mihajlović had another opportunity to make an impact in the 67th minute, but his shot lacked power and failed to trouble the goalkeeper. Shortly after this attempt, he was substituted.

FK Žalgiris continued to push forward, and in the 76th minute, Ovidijus Verbickas registered the team’s fifth shot on target. Still, it was a routine save for Giedrius Baliutavičius, who remained composed and ensured the score stayed level.

Šiauliai had a promising chance in the 85th minute through Daniel Romanovskij, whose shot was blocked by a Žalgiris defender. The rebound fell kindly to Milan Djokic, offering a second opportunity, but his effort went wide of the post, missing the chance to break the deadlock.

In stoppage time, a golden opportunity fell to Justinas Petravičius in the 93rd minute. After a brilliant run and assist from Deividas Šešplaukis, Petravičius found himself alone in the box, but failed to convert, summing up the frustrations of the match.

The game ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw for FK Žalgiris, marking their third consecutive draw in the league.

Although the home side managed to create slightly more chances, it’s fair to say that neither team truly deserved to walk away with all three points.

FK Žalgiris vs FA Šiauliai – 0:0 (0:0)
ŽAL: C.Olses, N.Abiam, Y.Kendysh, J.Moutachy, B.Tavares, G.Jarusevičius (M.Šetkus 45′), G.Matulevičius, N.Mihajlovic (K.Bička 68’) , E.Ofori, O.Verbickas, H.Devens (D.Salcinovic 68’)
ŠIA: G.Baliutavičius, V.Gašpuitis, M.Mandič, S.Sadzoute, E.Jankauskas (D.Jarašius 90+1’), N.Komissarov (D.Kubilinskas 74’), G.Micevičius (J.Petravičius 83’), D.Romanovskij, D.Šimkus (D.Šešplaukis 83’), K.Žebrauskas, M.Djokic

A Lyga Matchday 15 games:

• 13.06.2025 – FK Sūduva Marijampolė vs FK Kauno Žalgiris – 0:0
• 13.06.2025 – FK Žalgiris vs FA Šiauliai – 0:0
• 13.06.2025 – Džiugas Telšiai vs FK Panevėžys – 20:00
• 14.06.2025 – FK Riteriai vs FK Banga Gargždai – 19:30
• 14.06.2025 – DFK Dainava Alytus vs FC Hegelmann – 20:00