Ukraine (6) v (6)* Lithuania
Ukraine (6) v Lithuania (6)*
By Sebastian James
LITHUANIA opened their 2008 Homeless World Cup campaign with a tight win against Ukraine after drawing 6-6 and going to a sudden death penalty shootout.
The first goal of the match came from Lithuania with a penalty shot by Gediminas Sadlauskas getting past the Ukrainian keeper.
Lithuania proceeded to control the match until a break for Ukraine allowed Artem Gandziuik to slice a shot with the outside of his foot into the roof of the goal.
Goals were then traded between the two teams until the first half ended with the scores locked at 3-3.
The second half started as a tense affair between the two teams, but Ukraine moved up on the scoreboard after an easy opportunity for Andriy Nikitin was put one away.
Lithuania regained control of the match after two quick goals were scored by Gediminas Sadlauskas and Andrius Stamulis.
With only a minute left in the match, Ukraine were able to equalise the score after Lithuania gave away a penalty and Oleksandr Ganko made an easy goal.
Rimgaudas Jurevicius was unable to claim the win for Lithuania after his shot with ten seconds to go was cleared off the line. The two teams then moved to a sudden death penalty shootout to determine the winner.
Ukraine player Vytautas Skirmantas was unable to convert his penalty and the match was then won by Lithuania after Gediminas Sadlauskas scored his penalty.
Photos: Photoworx