Scoutmania

Plungės dirbtinės dangos stadionas (Plungė, Lithuania). Last season’s bronze medalists FK Babrungas played their opening game against Kretinga based team FK Minija in the Lithuanian Pirma Lyga, which ended with a narrow, one goal win for the home side (1-0).

Both FK Babrungas (led by the coach Kęstutis Petkus) and FK Minija (under the guidance of its Brazilian coach Thiago Bomfim) started the match in 4-2-3-1 reminiscent shapes.

The home team FK Babrungas could build its offensive tactics on the play of the two dynamic wingers (French-Cameroonian Brice Goupy on the left flank and Brazilian Renan Martimiano on the right chain); while their defensive play remained well-organized and solid.

The solid and hard physical presence was also typical of FK Minija, especially thanks to its Malian right centre-back Makan Diawara, who turned to be the key player of the defensive section. In the second half, the coach decision was to place more emphasis on the attacking role of the full-backs.

The game’s only one (and decisive) goal came up in the 70th minute, when Ghanaian substitution player Emmanuel Agyemang scored from very close range, by a ball bounced back off the opposition goalkeeper Daniel Ali Tek (1-0).

(Emmanuel Agyemang of FK Babrungas, with the game’s decisive hit)

In this article we will flag only one player per team who ‘stood out’ in this match (if you are interested in finding out about the other talents in this game you can buy our full match report):

Vilius Butkus (FK Babrungas), attacking/central midfielder born 2004.

Vilius, local born midfielder of the team, played in the positions/roles of the “Number 10” and “Number 8”. Demonstrated very good level of tenacity at the physical contacts, as well as strong awareness at the build-up play. He is very skilled on the ball, but also can present an effective play when he has to move and find his place without it. Showed good potential in addition to an above average performance.

Makan Diawara (FK Minija), right centre-back born 2002.

Makan is a Malian defender, who has excellent physical structure and strength. Was able to show effectiveness in his aerial duels (thanks to his great jumping ability and his bravery to attack the balls in the air), in addition to demonstrating a fairly convincing and balanced defensive play. In the 17th minute of the game, he had a big chance as his header (after a corner was taken) hit the crossbar. Potential leader of the defense with also good potential.

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