Nigerian defender Akpudje Joshua was on target as his team, FK Panevezys, cruised to a resounding victory in their Lithuania A Lyga match against Lietava on Wednesday.
The youngster helped FK Panevezys upset relegation battling side – Lietava 5-0 at the Central Stadium of Jonava with an outstanding header.
Wanderson Maranho, who gave his team the lead just eight minutes into the game, helped the visitors get off to a great start.
Three minutes later, Ariagner Smith gave the visiting team a 2-0 advantage before the 23-year-old Nigerian defender made it 3-0 with a fantastic, powerful header.
The host were later reduced to ten men after Akpudje Joshua grabbed his first goal of the season as Lukas Epkauskas received a straight red card.
The visitors had a three-goal advantage at the end of the first half, and Aironas Trakselis made it 4-0 barely four minutes into the second half.
Ariagner Smith then continued the scoring 18 minutes later, adding to the misery for Lietava as he secured the victory and all three points for FK Panevezys.
With the victory, FK Panevezys moves up to second place in the rankings with 33 points after 16 games, only two points behind the league’s top team, Zalgiris, while Lietava continues at the bottom with just one point.
Akpudje Joshua will be hungry to score more goals for the Valdas Urbonas team in their next match against Siauliai on Saturday at the Aukstaitija Stadium.