Kaunas Žalgiris saw off Hegelmann 2:0 in the A Lyga regular season on Friday. The result keeps the hosts in second place while the visitors remain eighth.
Leo Ribeiro opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, and M. Burba doubled the advantage five minutes later. By then the game was settling into rhythm, and here's the thing about two goals in ten minutes — it changes how sides respond.
There were yellow cards for A. Benchaib, B. Isaac, D. Slendzoka and G. Debeljuh, plus a handful of substitutions as both managers looked for shape. Hegelmann brought on V. Slivka and C. Duke at half-time, while Žalgiris made four changes in the second period.
The hosts dominated possession at 63 per cent and registered 130 attacks compared to 91 for their opponents. Six shots on target yielded two goals, while Hegelmann managed just two shots on target from 31 attempts overall.
The win moves Žalgiris to 45 points from 25 games, four ahead of third place. Hegelmann sit on 24 points after 27 matches and a run that has included losses to Žalgiris Vilnius and Suduva Marijampole.