Scoutmania

A Lyga 2024 champions FK Žalgiris faced off against Lithuanian Football Cup 2024 winners FK Banga Gargždai in an indoor arena in Vilnius (Sportima Sports Hall). The game ended with an exciting and twisty 1-1 draw.

The two teams already had a competitive clash near the end of February 2025; FK Žalgiris won by penalties over FK Banga Gargždai in the Lithuanian Supercup 2025 – so “Žaliai Balti” (the “Green Whites”) started this season with a great achievement.

FK Žalgiris, led by its Kazakh coach Vladimir Cheburin, started this encounter in 4-3-3 shape. The team’s ability to build-up quickly, by swift passes were mixed with the quality offensive support of the wing-backs; FK Banga Gargždai on the other side, under the guidance of young Portuguese coach David Marques Afonso, decided to start the game in 4-2-3-1 formation. The conceded goal in the middle of the second half required some changes in terms of the offensive tactics, which resulted in effective and dynamic attacking/counter-attacking play.

The leading goal for FK Žalgiris came up in the 60th minute, when experienced Belarusian player of the team Yuriy Kendysh took a long free-kick which found an opposition player’s head, from which the ball slipped into the goal (1-0). FK Banga Gargždai‘s offensive play and counteractions were on upper level in the last period, and in the 84th minute, Nigerian winger Aaron Olugbogi scored an equalizing goal by his right-footed shot – securing one point for his team at the end (1-1).

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):

Vytis Pavilonis (FK Žalgiris), left centre-back born 2007.

With his great performance and potential, Vytis is definitely a player who should be highlighted. Started the match as left centre-back but often moved up to take part in play as “Number 6”. Demonstrated excellent defensive mentality; also can be described as a ball-playing type centre-back. He was dominant in aerial duels and he also put the pressure (even by physical way) onto his opponents. He is a young player whose development is worth following.

Simão Júnior (FK Banga Gargždai), left centre-back born 1998.

Simão Júnior is a Portuguese born, Guinea-Bissau international defender of the team, who stood out in this game, mainly by his defensive play. Like the other flagged player, Vytis on FK Žalgiris side, he is also skillful on the ball and brave to perform dynamic ball movements. There is significant creativity in his defensive solutions. Beside the high level of confidence, his excellent physical attributes with strength allowed him to act as the leader of the defense.

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