Gintra secured an important victory in an intriguing Women's A League meeting of the leaders. After an eventful away contest, the defending champions 3:2 (1–1 at half-time) overcame Vilnius MFA Žalgiris-MRU.
Gintra now have 17 points, two behind the Vilnius side with a game in hand.
Lineup: A. Bikutė, A. Mikutaitė (C), K. O'Brien (80' min. sent off), L. Kubiliūtė, (78' min. M. Proscevičiūtė (92' min. S. Lichereva)) T. Romanovskaja, R. Diodati, A. Sunday, M. Galkina (79' min. G. Raznauskaitė), J. Sunday, E. Šupelytė, J. Bassey.
Goals:
„Gintra“: R. Diodati (9', pen.), J. Sunday (61'), J. Bassey (87') one each.
Žalgiris-MRU: A. Cheminava (5' min and 57' min. pen.) - 2.
Both teams finished with ten players. In the 80th minute, Laura Ruzgutė and Gintra defender Kalin O'Brien were sent off.
The hosts started better, Ana Cheminava scoring in the fifth minute for 1–0. Their lead lasted only minutes before Ruby Diodati converted a penalty to equalise.
Juliet Sunday had a decent chance to lead, but Meda Šeškutė saved. No further first-half goals followed.
The fierce contest continued. A defensive mishap led to a penalty against Petkov's side, and Cheminava converted to restore the hosts' lead at 2–1.
Again, Gintra responded quickly. An excellent attack involving Šupelytė and Juliet Sunday ended with Sunday equalising for 2–2.
The dramatic contest was decided by a corner: Bassey won the aerial duel and beat Šeškutė for what proved the winner, 3–2.
Women's A League football returns to Šiauliai Central Stadium on 3 June at 17:00. Gintra welcome supporters for the match against currently third-placed FK Vilnius.
R. Diodati komentaras: