Round 13 of the Lithuanian Women's A League generated considerable excitement as leaders TransINVEST of Vilnius District faced second-placed Gintra, the multiple Lithuanian champions from Šiauliai.
The on-field contest was equally fierce, and after 90 minutes the yellow-and-blacks could celebrate three points and a measure of revenge. Gintra defeated their opponents convincingly, 2:0 (1–0 at half-time), moving to within one point of them in the table.
TransINVEST had won both previous meetings. One of those victories was awarded by default after Gintra's coaching staff made an error that breached the competition regulations.
Starting lineup: G. Lukjančukė, R. Beal, A. Mikutaitė, T. Romanovskaja, S. Amorim, L. Kubiliūtė, L.Ribeiro (77' min. C. Caliz), T. Brown, L. Spenazzatto, J. Blaževičiūtė (33' min. M. Proscevičiūtė), M. Bowers (90' min. B. David).
Goals:
Gintra: L. Ribeiro (23' min.) and T. Brown (83' min.) one each.
The meeting of the league's top two began nervously, with a physical battle for every inch of the pitch. With the importance of the match clear, both teams initially focused on their positional play. Gintra's Canadian Tamara Brown had a good chance to score, but Aušrinė Bikutė saved her header.
The visitors from Šiauliai took the lead in the 23rd minute. Lidiane Ribeiro won an aerial duel and passed to Madison Bowers, who held off the defenders and allowed Ribeiro to fire a powerful shot into the net for 1–0.
Midway through the half, a defender had a close-range headed opportunity at the other end, but Greta Lukjančukė reacted confidently. A set piece then caused a scramble in front of the Lithuanian champions' goal, only for the defence to keep the ball out.
Steve Beeks was forced into a first-half substitution, replacing the injured Justina Blaževičiūtė with Meida Proscevičiūtė in attack.
Gintra controlled the tempo confidently at the start of the second half and prevented their opponents from taking charge. Most set pieces continued to come near the hosts' goal, although the yellow-and-blacks could not make the most of them.
Brown had a decent chance in the 68th minute but shot over. A few minutes later, opening scorer Ribeiro struck dangerously, but the goalkeeper was well positioned.
Brown remained active up front, with Bikutė saving her header. The Canadian finally got her reward in the 83rd minute, skilfully beating an opponent and sending a left-footed shot into the far corner to seal a 2–0 lead for Gintra.
The UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying tournament begins in Šiauliai next Wednesday, 27 August. Gintra face Romanian champions FCV Farul in the second-round semi-final at 18:00. The Ukrainian and Georgian champions meet in the other semi-final at 12:00 the same day.
The final, deciding the tournament's sole place in the third round of UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying, takes place on 30 August.
Failure to reach the group stage would not end Gintra's European season: finishing at least third in the qualifying tournament would allow them to continue in the UEFA Women's Europa Cup.
Stand with the team: every supporter's presence at the stadium will be especially important! Buy your tickets now via this link.
Match highlights:
UEFA Champions League qualifying tournament in Šiauliai: