Šiauliai Central Stadium hosted a 2024 Baltic Women's Football League regular-season match on Sunday, with Gintra welcoming visitors from Latvia.
Gintra secured a needed victory over Liepaja FS 4:1 (3–1 at half-time). Their second tournament win provides some breathing room. Ojala's side had complicated their position with a surprise home defeat to Saku in April and a 2–2 draw away to MFA Žalgiris-MRU after losing their lead.
Under the Baltic League format, the top four regular-season teams advance to the semi-finals.
Starting lineup: G. Vasilenko, T. Romanovskaja, A. Mikutaitė, L. Peabody, L. Kubiliūtė, S. Amorim (74' min. D. Misiūnaitė), K. Hawkinson, M. Galkina, E. Šupelytė (86' min. U. Bujokaitė), S. Shamase, A. Kazarina (59' min. T. Shamase).
Goals:
„Gintra“: L. Peabody (7'), S. Shamase (22'), A. Kazarina (40'), T. Shamase (90') one each.
„Liepaja FS“: A. Meijere (15') – 1.
Both teams scored within a lively opening 15 minutes. Gintra struck first in the seventh minute, defender Laney Peabody finishing beautifully from an accurate pass into the area. Latvia's Ance Meijere soon equalised with a header from a corner.
Gintra remained composed and continued building attacks. Sphumelele Shamase escaped the defenders and beat the goalkeeper to restore the hosts' lead at 2–1.
Before the interval, they strengthened their advantage. Agnieška Kazarina went one-on-one from Shamase's pass and took her chance for 3–1.
As the second half developed, substitute Thubelihle Shamase, on for Kazarina, had the clearest opportunity but shot narrowly wide.
S. Shamase had another golden chance for a brace, but the goalkeeper saved her uncertain finish. Thubelihle Shamase settled matters with a 90th-minute goal, securing three important points.