Victorious champions start in Latvia
The most powerful country team “Ekranas” defeated “Daugava” 2:1 in Riga
The match was started having an unconventional line-up: T.Kauneckas, M.Samusiovas, I.Dedura, G.Tomkevičius, J.Glele, J.Moroz, A.Ribokas, M.Savėnas, A.Arlauskas, T.Markevičius, A.Velička. The first half began rather cautiously and nobody wanted to rush and attack the opponent’s box. At the beginning the ball was under control of “Ekranas” more often, but they didn’t create dangerous situations near the box because of playful defects.
Partway of the first half the control was in favor of Latvian team. Approaching the end of the half, unexpectedly the opponents scored a goal. "Daugava" used a chance in “Ekranas” defence. The opponents’ forward E. Kokin got the ball in the penalty area, scored a goal from several meters and got his team ahead.
In the second half Panevezys team composition was changed. M. Andelkovič, R. Pilate, A. Vertelis, R. Radavičius D. Gleveckas came to the pitch, they changed I. Dedura, M.Samusiovas, A.Ribokas, T.Markevičius, J.Moroz.
The second half of the match belonged to “Ekranas” players and the equalising goal came fast. After Lithuanian team attack, at 54-minute, R. Radavicius passed the ball to Andrius Velicka who scored.
After the goal the game was equal, but not for long. When about 15 minutes were left to play, "Ekranas" pressed the opponents again, and "Daugava" based their game on counterattacks. At 85 minute, Mantas Savenas ran into the penalty area and was illegally stopped by an opponents’ defender. The judge imposed the penalty, which was realized by "boss."
After the game, head coach Valdas Urbonas said that it’s early to draw any generalizations or conclusions about the game, football players have been training just a little more than a week. However, it was interesting to see how the players move in the match of training nature. It’s too early to talk about J. Glele, the defender who had just arrived in Lithuania still hasn’t joint trainings with the team.
Next week, on 14 January “Ekranas” is playing a friendly match against “Suduva” Marijampole.
