Finland and Lithuania played out a 1-1 draw in the U17 Baltic Cup.
Finland started the game with a 1-4-3-3 and Lithuania with a 1-4-5-1. The Finns pressed Lithuania’s poor build up structure in the first line, with both Lithuanian goalkeeper Augustas Ruginis and left centre-back Arėjas Milkintis caught in possession before Finland won an early penalty but failed to convert.
In the rare moments of attack, the Lithuanians relied on right winger Lukas Korvel to penetrate and they scored off a corner through the tallest player on the field, Simas Šiaudvytis.
The Finns made 8 changes in the 2nd half, bringing on Ahola Emil to direct the play. The pattern of the game settled with Finland dominating possession and players overloading the last line and occupying central spaces in an attempt to play through the Lithuanian block of 1-5-4-1.
The Finns equalised after a reverse pass on the right side led to a penalty being awarded. Milton Käld converted from the spot to make it 1–1.
The player who stood out in this match:
Konsta Tiainen (Finland / PKKU U18) centre-back born 2010.
The centre-back positioned well and read the play in the defensive transition as Lithuania tried to find Gvidas Valatkevičius running in behind. He also positioned well when the cross came in from the left, but his clearances lacked conviction. His right-footed passes were sometimes too soft and then he overadjusted by hitting the ball too hard, signalling the need for further physical development. He contributed very well to the Finnish attack with some progressive passes to the right winger in the 2nd half.
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