Like NK Celje’s Armandas Kučys and Artemijus Tutyškinas, Lithuanian Justas Lasickas also reached the UEFA Conference League Round of 16, as his side HNK Rijeka beat AC Omonia 2-1 at home to secure a 3-1 aggregate victory.
The Lithuanian national team full-back returned to the starting lineup after missing last weekend’s Croatian league match against HNK Hajduk Split due to accumulated yellow cards. Rijeka had already secured a narrow advantage in the first leg, producing a minor upset with an away win in Cyprus.
The return leg did not begin well for the hosts. In the 13th minute, Omonia forward Muamer Tanković found the net, levelling the aggregate score. At halftime, the tie remained evenly balanced.
The second half, however, belonged to Rijeka. In the 52nd minute, midfielder Toni Fruk struck from inside the penalty area, placing his shot into the left corner to restore Rijeka’s advantage. Fifteen minutes later, Fruk added his second goal of the evening, giving the Croatian champions a two-goal cushion on aggregate and putting them firmly in control.
Rijeka later added a third goal to cap a dominant second-half performance, securing a comfortable progression to the Round of 16.
Lasickas played the full 90 minutes in the decisive victory.
In the next round, the defending Croatian league champions Rijeka will face either French club RC Strasbourg or Polish side Rakow. The draw will take place tomorrow.
Source: https://www.uefa.com/uefaconferenceleague/match/2047741–rijeka-vs-omonoia/
