FK TransINVEST maintained the pressure on Toplyga leaders Džiugas Telšiai on Friday evening, securing a hard-fought 2-1 away victory over FK Panevėžys in a Matchday 17 clash.
The visitors took advantage of a heavily depleted Panevėžys defence and struck first after just 11 minutes. Hideyasu Tanaka was the catalyst, bursting into the penalty area from the left before being brought down by Oleksandr Kurtsev. Referee had little hesitation in pointing to the spot, and Yegor Gushach confidently converted the penalty to score his eighth league goal of the season and draw level with Amine Benchaib as the club’s leading scorer this year.
TransINVEST continued to dominate and doubled their advantage midway through the first half. Once again Tanaka proved too much for Kurtsev to handle, beating the defender on the left flank before delivering a pass into the penalty area. Xabi Auzmendi controlled brilliantly, lifting the ball over a defender with his first touch before firing past Vytautas Černiauskas with his second to make it 2-0 with a superb piece of individual skill.
Kurtsev’s difficult evening came to an early end when he was substituted in the 34th minute, a clear indication of the problems he had endured against the lively Japanese winger.
Panevėžys struggled to create clear opportunities before halftime, with their efforts from promising positions comfortably dealt with by TransINVEST goalkeeper Mantas Bertašius.
The hosts came out with renewed energy after the break and quickly gave themselves hope. In the 55th minute, a mistake by the TransINVEST defence in their own half allowed Panevėžys to launch a swift counter-attack. The move ended with Salomon Kouadio calmly finishing between the legs of Bertašius to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
The goal transformed the contest and ensured a tense final half-hour. Panevėžys pushed forward in search of an equaliser, while TransINVEST were forced to defend deeper than they would have liked.
Despite the late pressure, Marius Stankevičius’ side held firm to secure all three points and gain a measure of revenge after their previous meeting. The victory keeps TransINVEST firmly in the Toplyga title race and within touching distance of leaders Džiugas Telšiai.
