Lithuanian champions Gintra could not begin the 2023 Women's A League with a victory. After an eventful home contest, they 1:1 (0–0 at half-time) drew with runners-up Vilnius MFA Žalgiris-MRU.
Lineup: A. Schroeder, T. Romanovskaja, A. Mikutaitė (C), K. O'Brien (48' min. M. Proscevičiūtė), L. Kubiliūtė, G. Raznauskaitė (88' min. N. Klezaitė), A. Sunday, M. Galkina, J. Bassey, J. Sunday, E. Šupelytė.
Goals:
„Gintra“: E. Šupelytė (73') – 1.
MFA Žalgiris-MRU: I. Šukštulytė (90' min.) – 1.
The teams spent the opening quarter-hour assessing each other without serious chances. Juliet Sunday first threatened by striking Meda Šeškutė's crossbar. A few minutes later, Bassey had a good chance but shot over.
Near half-time, Abigail Sunday received Juliet Sunday's pass in attack but the goalkeeper saved. The interval arrived goalless.
Proscevičiūtė replaced debutant Canadian starter Kalin O'Brien after the break. With more attacking resources, Gintra created danger increasingly. Šupelytė had the clearest chance, receiving inside the area one-on-one, but an imperfect first touch prevented a goal.
Šupelytė nevertheless scored Gintra's first A League goal of the season, placing a long-range free kick into the top corner to put the hosts ahead – 1:0.
Gintra seemed set to consolidate their advantage, but the opposite happened. Ana Cheminava struck the post late on from distance. Moments later, Ineta Šukštulytė broke one-on-one with Schroeder and equalised – 1:1.
Petkov's side could not find a stoppage-time winner and settled for a draw.
Gintra's next A League match follows the international break on 16 April, against last season's bronze medallists FK Vilnius.
Coach K. Petkov's comments: