RUSOKAI 2 - 0 Startas (383715216)

A scorching day at RUSOKAI ARENA, where 42739 spectators were in place for today's match. Craig Evans was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Edward Salewski and Mark Ahwoi. People from all over Šiauliai had joined up for the derby. A 4-5-1 alignment was the formation of choice for RUSOKAI. Lineup: Buldorini - Ilchov, Lezcano, Kehl, Moncada - Klangling, Magnussen, Sagatis, van Herten, Lebon - Hanfu.

Startas tactics involved an interesting 5-4-1 combination. The following players had been chosen: Majda - Olech, Lamey, Baktys, Larsen, Volovc - Hoveling, Fellowes, Vansteenwinkel, Verdier - Syraezhka.

Counter-attacking seemed to be the preferred strategy of Startas. D. Lebon enjoyed the sunshine and demonstrated his stunning technique over and over again. RUSOKAI took the lead 28 minutes in, as G. Ilchov broke through on the left and put the 1 - 0 shot just beyond the reach of the outstretched keeper. J. Moncada increased the lead for RUSOKAI to 2 - 0, getting a head onto a hooked ball from the right. The ball looked to have taken a deflection on the way in, but he's claiming it! After this, you could see that the players of RUSOKAI were more interested in killing time than scoring more goals. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave J. Moncada from RUSOKAI a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 41 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! There was no way Startas's S. Lamey could continue to play after this, and no replacements were available! 2 - 0 was the score after the first half. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by RUSOKAI, with 66 percent of the ball.

RUSOKAI's D. Lebon had an excellent opportunity after 50 minutes, shooting after receiving a pass from the right hand side, but he missed the goal by miles! 55 minutes into the game Startas managed a counterattack, but A. Vansteenwinkel took a soft shot from the left flank that was easy prey for the alert keeper. A great save by keeper G. Majda after 71 minutes kept the visitors in the game after J. Sagatis struck from the left with a real cannonball. Startas's counterattack was impressive and was only stopped by a shocking foul. Somehow, the referee's cards remained in his pocket - a terrible decision! R. Syraezhka's resulting free kick was easily saved by the keeper. RUSOKAI's V. Kehl was shown a yellow card for standing over the ball and blocking an opponent's quick free kick after 76 minutes. RUSOKAI enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 65 percent of possession.

RUSOKAI's best player was G. Hanfu. On the other hand, V. Kehl's play was disheartening. Most important Startas player was G. Majda. However, R. Larsen made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 2 - 0.