Lithuania 0-0 Liechtenstein: Dead rubber
Lithuania and Liechtenstein played to a goalless draw in a match that had the
feel of a dead rubber at the foot of Euro 2012 qualifying Group I.
With neither team standing much chance of qualifying, trailing second-placed
Czech Republic by four and five points respectively, there was little to play
for in Kaunas.
Liechtenstein had the best chance to win a game of few clear-cut chances at the
death when both Martin Buchel and David Hasler saw shots blocked before Marco
Ritzberger blazed over the bar, and with the scorers not troubled the main
talking point was the 75th dismissal of Lithuania's Edgaras Cesnauskis for a
professional foul.
It took until the 23rd minute for the first chance to come but Mario Frick's
shot from the edge of the area went over.
Lithuania responded as Cesnauskis saw a shot charged down before Tadas
Kijanskas' header was cleared by Ritzberger from a corner.
Liechtenstein goalkeeper Peter Jehle punched away Tomas Danilevicius' free-kick
in the final chance of the first half.
The second 45 minutes were better with a flurry of openings after the hour
mark.
Frick and Burgmeier both went close for the visitors but Lithuania soon
responded with Mindaugas Panka and Danilevicius seeing good shots blocked from
close range.
Hasler fired wide for Liechtenstein, who soon found themselves with a man
advantage after Cesnauskis' exit.
Lithuania seemed undeterred as Deividas Semberas, Cesnauskis and Danilevicius
all had chances, but it was Liechtenstein who could have pinched it at the
death, with Jehle and then Arunas Klimavicius blocking Buchel and Hasler's
efforts in a frantic passage before Ritzberger wasted the rebound.