Lithuania secure slender victory against Ukraine
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Article summary
Lithuania 1-0 Ukraine
Despite going down to ten men, Vitalijus Stankevičius's side held on to Tadas Eliošius' early goal to secure their second Group 2 victory.
Article top media content
Article body
Lithuania recovered from consecutive defeats to earn a slender victory against Ukraine and climb off the bottom of 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 2.
Despite recording just one win from their previous seven games the hosts started in buoyant fashion. Ernestas Veliulis was the catalyst for their early breakthrough, teeing up Tadas Eliošius, who finished with aplomb after three minutes. Ukraine responded positively but, despite Andriy Bogdanov's best efforts, failed to find a way past an inspired Emilijus Zubas.
Bogdanov was soon involved again, breaking from midfield and drawing a foul from Karolis Jarmalavičius. The defender was subsequently shown a second yellow card to ensure Lithuania's task became an arduous one.
The visitors failed to impose their numerical advantage, however, and rarely troubled their resilient opponents. Oleksandr Karavayev came closest to restoring parity but misfired from close range.
