Belgium earn top billing
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Article summary
Lithuania 1-2 Belgium The visitors weathered a second-half storm against a determined Lithuanian side to emerge as the winners of Group 7.
Article body
Belgium ensured that they finish top of UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 7 with a 2-1 win in Lithuania.
Long ball
The home side were no match for the lively Belgians in the first 45 minutes, and the visitors opened the scoring after 16 minutes when Jeanvion Yulu-Matondo collected a long ball from midfield and outpaced the Lithuanian defence to beat goalkeeper Paulius Grybauskas and find the net.
Fine finish
Twenty minutes later Tom De Mul broke into the area from the left and fed a perfect ball to Faris Haroun who scored Belgium's second with a fine shot from 15 metres. However, although Belgium were to finish their group campaign unbeaten, they were made to work harder in the second period.
Lithuania revived
Lithuania picked up the pace in the second half and Belgium goalkeeper Glenn Verbauwhede was kept busy as the home side turned the screw. The home team pulled a goal back after 65 minutes as Donatas Navikas converted a penalty awarded when Mindaugas Kalonas's low-cross was handled in the area.
Final standings
However, there was to be no equaliser, and the result leaves Lithuania second from bottom of Group 7, level on points with Bosnia-Herzegovina.