The final Toplyga match of the day at Sportima Arena delivered an entertaining contest, as newly promoted TransInvest surrendered a quick two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with FA Šiauliai.
Marius Stankevičius’ side made a perfect start to their return to Lithuania’s top flight. In the very first minute, TransInvest earned a dangerous set piece. Dominykas Barauskas launched a long throw into the penalty area, where the ball dropped to Lithuania international defender Edvinas Girdvainis. Showing composure from close range, he controlled the ball and fired home to give the hosts an early lead.
Both teams created chances as the half progressed, but it was TransInvest who came closest to extending their advantage, missing several opportunities to double the lead.
Early in the second half, they did just that through a well-worked Spanish connection. Iker Bilbao delivered a precise cross into the box, finding compatriot Xavi Auzmendi, who reacted sharply in front of goal and finished past 19-year-old goalkeeper Paulius Linkevičius, making his Toplyga debut for Šiauliai.
Jurģis Pučinsks’ Šiauliai side responded quickly. After an initial cross failed to find its target, the ball was recovered on the opposite flank by Deividas Dovydaitis, who immediately sent it back into the danger area. Daniel Romanovskij converted from close range to score his first goal of the season and reduce the deficit.
Less than a two minutes later, Šiauliai struck again. There had been a controversial moment moments earlier, as a TransInvest forward went down in the penalty area appealing for a spot-kick, but the referee waved play on. In the following attack, substitute Nwoga held up the ball well inside the box and laid it off to Rui Batalha, who picked out Patrikas Pranckus in an even better position. The 19-year-old former BFA Vilnius player marked his Toplyga debut with a goal to level the score at 2-2.
The closing stages produced fewer clear chances, and both teams had to settle for a point as they opened their league campaigns.
FK TransInvest vs FA Šiauliai – 2-2 (1-0)
Goals: Girdvainis 1’, Auzmendi 58’ | Romanovskij 60’, Pranckus 62’
TRA: Virvilas – Boateng (Kloniunas 71’), Girdvainis, Barauskas – Musolitin (Bembah 71’), Bilbao, Šluta (Bosnjak 64’), Koffi (Stevenson 85’) – Auzmendi, Miloševič, Glushach (Tanaka 64’)
ŠIA: Linkevičius – Mandič (Vukovic 77’), Bierontas, Stankevičius, Jarašius – Žebrauskas, Benny Silva (Gašiunas 29’) – Dovydaitis (Nwoga 60’), Romanovskij, Batalha – Pranckus
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FK Banga |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 2 |  Džiugas Telšiai |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 3 |  FA Šiauliai |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 |  Transinvest |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 |  FK Sūduva |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 6 |  FK Panevėžys |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 |  FK Riteriai |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 |  Kauno Žalgiris |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 |  FK Žalgiris |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 |
| 10 |  FC Hegelmann |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
