Gintra hosted regular-season winners Riga RFS in the Baltic Women's Football League semi-final on Wednesday.
After an eventful contest, the defending champions 1:3 (0–1 at half-time) lost to RFS, who advanced to face Flora Tallinn in the final. Flora defeated Vilnius MFA Žalgiris-MRU in the other semi-final.
Defender Rashida Beal was unavailable after suffering an injury against Tallinn that ruled her out for four weeks.
Starting lineup: A. Klevečkaitė, A. Mikutaitė, S. Amorim, L. Peabody (46' min. T. Romanovskaja), S. Jaatinen, A. Kazarina (72' min. L. Kubiliūtė), M. Hagstrom, A. Rusanen (46' min. H. Hawkinson), S. Shamase, T. Shamase, M. Proscevičiūtė (63' min. E. Šupelytė).
Goals:
„Gintra“: S. Jaatinen (58') – 1.
„RFS“: S. Vuškane (21'), A. Poluhoviča (75') and M. Ogochukwu Ohadiwe (90') one each.
Gintra started more actively and had an early chance, but Thubelihle Shamase could not take it. In the 12th minute, Meida Proscevičiūtė delivered a dangerous ball into the area, but no teammate reached it first and Riga cleared.
A defensive error in the 21st minute allowed RFS forward Santa Sanija Vuškane through one-on-one. She rounded Aušra Klevečkaitė to score the opener.
Near half-time, Gintra had two clear chances to equalise, but neither Proscevičiūtė nor Monica Hagstrom could convert. The visitors led 1–0 at the break.
Gintra returned with more energy. Hagstrom threatened in the 47th minute, but the RFS goalkeeper saved.
The Lithuanian champions broke through in the 58th minute. Silja Jaatinen converted Thubelihle Shamase's excellent pass into the area for her first Gintra goal and a 1–1 scoreline.
RFS regained the lead in the 75th minute through Anastasija Poluhoviča's low finish. A minute later, S. Shamase missed a golden equalising opportunity, shooting over. Shortly afterwards, Hagstrom drove a pass into the area, but Shamase could not reach it.
Gintra committed everyone forward late on but could not convert their chances. Their opponents exploited the defensive gaps to score a third and settle the match at 1–3.
Šiauliai hosts UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying on 4–7 September. In Group 3, the Lithuanian champions compete for one place in the main tournament against legendary Scottish club Celtic, Finnish champions KuPS Kuopio and Moldovan league winners Agarista CSF.
Gintra face Agarista CSF in the semi-final. Stand with the team: every supporter's presence will be especially important! Buy your tickets now through this link.
Match highlights:
Coach's comments: