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Jankauskas blunts Belgium

Saturday, 4 September 2004

By Berend Scholten at the Stade Pays de Charleroi

[1] Edgaras Jankauskas earned Lithuania a point in their 2006 FIFA World Cup Group 7 qualifier in Charleroi as his 72nd-minute strike cancelled out Wesley Sonck's opener for Belgium.

Just reward

[2] Jankauskas' equaliser came against the run of play, but was reward for Lithuania's organised defensive display that eventually paid dividends against a frustrated Belgium.

Poskus chance

[3] Belgium attacked from the outset, but it was Lithuania who created the first chance on ten minutes, Tristan Peersman punching away Robertas Poskus' free-kick from the edge of the area.

Karcemarskas on form

[4] It was Belgium, however, who were dominating play and they worked their first opening on 16 minutes when Bart Goor crossed for Mbo Mpenza but the striker's header was knocked away by Zydrunas Karcemarskas in the Lithuania goal. Four minutes later, Eric Deflandre crossed from the right for Sonck who connected well with a header, but Karcemarskas saved again.

Dziaukstas impresses

[5] Belgium were positive in outlook but continually frustrated by a resolute Lithuania defence led superbly by Rolandas Dziaukstas. On 25 minutes they again came close, a Sonck header whistled past the post, then two minutes before the break the AFC Ajax striker was unfortunate to see a clever lob drop just over the bar.

Sonck strikes

[6] Sonck finally made the breakthrough 16 minutes into the second-half when he sent a free-kick into the top right corner from 20 metres, but Belgium's celebrations were shortlived.

Jankauskas equaliser

[7] Lithuania had provided no real threat for much of the match, but on the break they drew level on 72 minutes. The ball was played into the box and Daniel Van Buyten headed away, but straight to Jankauskas who drilled a low shot into the left corner.

Belgium press

[8] Belgium were stunned but responded positively as they searched for a winner. On 80 minutes Sonck headed goalwards but Karcemarskas gathered on the line, then substitute Vincent Kompany worked room for a shot which flashed narrowly over the crossbar.

Late save

[9] Belgium's best chance fell to Van Buyten in injury time when he broke free of the defence, but in alone on goal he shot straight at Karcemarskas whose save clinched Lithuania their point.

Edgaras Jankauskas scored a late equaliser for Lithuania