An important battle for the European places took place in Matchday 31 of the Toplyga, as Gargždai-based Banga hosted TransINVEST. The visitors made better use of their opportunities to claim a 3-1 victory and move into third place in the league table.
Banga made the brighter start but lacked precision in the final third. Ignas Venckus caused problems inside the visitors’ penalty area following a cross, while Deividas Malžinskas later headed dangerously towards goal from Misaki Sato’s delivery. The hosts created an even better opportunity in the 14th minute when Aaron Olugbogi produced an excellent run into the box before laying the ball off for Sato, but the Japanese midfielder failed to hit the target from a promising position.
Despite Banga’s encouraging start, it was TransINVEST who broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute. The visitors’ leading scorer Xabi Auzmendi continued his impressive campaign with a powerful strike that left goalkeeper Volodymyr Krynskyi beaten and gave TransINVEST a 1-0 advantage at the break.
Auzmendi remained at the heart of the action after the restart. He first struck the post with another long-range effort before turning provider moments later, delivering for Stefan Miloševic to head home and double the visitors’ advantage.
Banga responded by increasing the pressure midway through the second half and eventually found a way back into the contest. Their sustained spell around the TransINVEST penalty area ended with the ball crossing the line as defender Ričardas Šveikauskas unsuccessfully attempted to clear it, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
Any hopes of a late Banga comeback were ended in the closing stages when TransINVEST were awarded a penalty. Til Mavretič converted from the spot for his first goal for the club, sealing a 3-1 victory.
The three points lifted TransINVEST into third place with 42 points, strengthening their position in the battle for European football. Banga remain sixth on 38 points.
FK Banga Gargždai vs FK TransINVEST – 1-3 (0-1)
Goals: Šveikauskas 70′ (Own goal) | Auzmendi 32′, Milosevic 49′, Mavretic 89′
Next matches:
Banga Gargždai (h) Džiugas Telšiai – September 19
TransINVEST (h) Žalgiris Vilnius – September 19
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FK Sūduva |
27 | 13 | 10 | 4 | 38 | 24 | 14 | 49 |
| 2 |  Kauno Žalgiris |
26 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 52 | 17 | 35 | 48 |
| 3 |  Transinvest |
27 | 12 | 6 | 9 | 40 | 35 | 5 | 42 |
| 4 |  FK Žalgiris |
26 | 12 | 5 | 9 | 38 | 29 | 9 | 41 |
| 5 |  FK Banga |
27 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 30 | 28 | 2 | 38 |
| 6 |  Džiugas Telšiai |
27 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 36 | 38 | -2 | 38 |
| 7 |  FK Panevėžys |
28 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 29 | 43 | -14 | 32 |
| 8 |  FC Hegelmann |
28 | 4 | 13 | 11 | 30 | 47 | -17 | 25 |
| 9 |  FA Šiauliai |
28 | 3 | 8 | 17 | 24 | 56 | -32 | 17 |
