VIDEO Home joy in Liptov: Ružomberok entered Cup Europe with a triumph and a clean sheet – Športky.sk

Goal celebrations by MFK Ružomberok footballers, Štefan Gerec celebrating on the lawn Source: TASR/Martin Baumann RUŽOMBEROK – MFK Ružomberok footballers won the opening match of the 1st preliminary round of the European Conference League over FK Kauno Žalgiris 2:0. The Fortunaliga vice-champion was put in an advantageous position by an own goal by visiting captain Linas Pilibaitis in the 13th minute and by Štefan Gerec, who increased MFK’s lead after the change of sides. The guests arrived at Liptov in solid form. In the previous six matches on the home stage, they did not find a winner and they wanted to try to extend this series in Slovakia. Žalgiris had the first chance of the match, in the 7th minute Sirgedas headed dangerously and stretched the Ružomber goalkeeper Krajčírik. Immediately after the corner kick by the Lithuanians, another unpleasant situation was born, which the home team, however, managed without any damage. Gradually, they also started to get braver and press in front of the opponent’s goal. In the 13th minute, the people of Ružomberok launched a quick attack, after which Pilibaitis knocked Madleňák’s cross into his own goal – 1:0. The opening goal helped the Slovak representative get rid of initial nervousness and gain healthy self-confidence, but he could not increase the lead before the break. In the 20th minute, Regáli scored from outside the penalty area, but Mikelionis was not surprised. On the contrary, during the dominance of MFK, a promising break by Sirgedas was born, but the visiting winger did not handle it as expected. Photo gallery (15) Source: TASR/Martin Baumann Liptáci continued their activity even after returning from the locker room. In the 60th minute, Luterán, who was not attacked by anyone, shot from a great floor, from behind the big goal, and narrowly missed the target. In the 68th minute, another goal joy erupted at the Ružomberok stadium, when Fabiš’s successful cross directed an unstoppable header into the Gerec net – 2:0. Substitute Lichý had another good opportunity to increase the score, but he didn’t have an accurate shot from eight meters and the ball flew over the goal. Ružomberok tried to score a third goal until the final whistle. Kelemen was close to him, but alone with his head he missed the target. However, even a two-goal advantage puts Ružomberok in the position of a clear favorite for promotion before the rematch. Rematch is scheduled for July 14 at 18.00 CET in the city of Marijampolé. The winner of the Slovak-Lithuanian confrontation awaits in the 2nd preliminary round the better of the pair Derry City (Ireland) – FC Riga (Latvia). MFK Ružomberok – FK Kauno Žalgiris 2:0 (1:0)
Goals: 13. Pilibaitis (own), 68. Gerec. ŽK: Maslo (Ružomberok). Referee: Orlic (Mold.), 2229 spectators. Ružomberok: Krajčírik – Fabiš, Maslo, Mojžis, Madleňák – Luterán – Gerec (73. Kelemen), Kochan, Domonkos (61. Lichý), Regáli (73. Morong) – Bobček (61. Tučný) Kauno: Mikelionis – Vaitkunas, Dapkus , Šilkaitis (56. Anisas), Pejič – Pilibaitis (83. Kayode) – Bahlouli (56. Sangare), Girdvainis, Naah, Sirgedas (70. Trotman) – Thuique Coaches’ voices: Peter Struhár, coach of MFK Ružomberok: “At the beginning of the match we were a little nervous. The opponent created a great opportunity when the goalkeeper Krajčírik stopped us. But from the beginning it was our game that we wanted to assert ourselves. That is, high pressing in the attacking zone, where our intention was to press the opponent and win the balls, which we also did well. After the wins, the boys could go into a more open defense and we created chances. In the first half, I must especially praise the full-backs, who made Žalgiris a breeze. We were rewarded for that with the leading goal. The plan was to enter the second half very actively, which succeeded. The boys also had other chances. Maybe it’s a shame that the second goal did not come earlier. We also had substitutions, the new players revived the game and we were able to maintain a high tempo until the end of the match.” Štefan Gerec, winger of MFK Ružomberok and the author of the second goal: “It was definitely one of the most beautiful goals in my career. We got the ball on the edge, Lukáš Fabiš crossed it beautifully for me and I just had to hit the goal. Of course, the first goal helped us. We lost our nervousness and played our football. It’s a shame we didn’t convert more chances. 2:0 is not enough for those occasions. We had more of the ball in our possession, we combined, they came to defend earlier. Quality was definitely on our side. The spectators encouraged us, gave us energy.” Rokas Garastas, coach of FK Kauno Žalgiris: “I congratulate the home team on the victory. It’s not the result I expected in today’s match. However, there are still two halves ahead of us. Ružomberok played organized, with high pressing, also well in defense. The home team created many chances. The grass was quite high, which was perhaps the advantage of the home team.” Photo gallery for the article Number of photos: 15 Author: © Zoznam VIDEO: RTVS Source: TASR