“Auda” defeated “Metta” 5:0 (2:0) at home, winning the fifth victory in a row at the end of the season.
After nine minutes played, Deniss Melnik put the hosts in the lead, but as the end of the first half approached, Bakari Mane ran alone towards the visiting goalkeeper, whose shot was almost saved by the goalkeeper, but the ball still found its way into the goal, making the score 2:0 in favor of “Auda”.
At the beginning of the second half, Oskars Rubenis scored the home team’s third goal after 11 minutes, in the 76th minute, Žedi Stevensons, who came on the field only in the 71st minute, made it 4-0, but in the 87th minute, Mors Tala made the visitors’ goalkeeper capitulate for the fifth time.
On the other hand, “Tukums 2000”, which lost in the previous four games, defeated “Valmiera” 3:2 (1:1) on the road.
The players of Tukuma got a penalty kick after only three minutes played and it was accurately executed by Kaspars Anmanis, but at the end of the first half Valmiers also earned a penalty kick and Lukas Vapne scored a draw past the visiting goalkeeper.
In the second half, after six minutes played, Arturs Krancmanis restored the one-goal lead for the Tukum team, but seven minutes later the result became a draw again, when Aliunas Ndoja beat the visiting goalkeeper.
At the end of regular time, ”Tukums 2000″ got another 11-meter penalty shot, which was realized by Bogdanvs Samoilovs, Tukums taking the lead again.
“Daugavpils” also fought back from a two-goal deficit and tied with “Liepāja” 3:3 (2:2) away from home, winning fifth place.
In the second half of the first half, Luiss Ilariu or Dodo and Danila Patijchuk scored 2-0 for “Liepāja”, but by the halftime break the result had already become a draw. In the 45th minute, the home goalkeeper was beaten by Muhamed Kone, but in the second minute of the compensation time, the ball entered the home goal after the touch of “Liepāja” representative Marko Simič.
In the 68th minute, Kone finished off the counterattack with an accurate shot, putting Daugavpils in the lead for the first time in the match. During the compensation period, “Liepāja” was at the “pendel”, which was accurately executed by Pape Dudu, and the result became a draw, which allowed “Daugavpils” to win the fifth place.
In another match, “Jelgava”, which has already lost its place in the Superleague, beat ”Grobinu”/LFS at home with 2:0 (0:0), which lost in the 11th game in a row.
Jehors Glušahs scored both goals of Jelgava players, who was assisted by Mārcis Peilāns in the 52nd minute for the first goal, and ten minutes later he was assisted by Glebs Kliushkins.
On Sunday, RFS “LNK Sporta Parks” will host “Riga”.
After 35 rounds, RFS footballers have secured the championship title with 90 points, while “Riga” team has accumulated 84 points. “Auda” has 60 points in 36 games, “Valmiera” has 55 points, “Daugavpils” has 42 points, “Liepāja” has 39, and “Metta” has 36. “Tukums 2000” has 35 points, while “Grobiņa”/LFS, which will have to fight for a place in the league in rematches with “Alberts”, the second-strongest league team, has 29 points. “Jelgava” is the last with 25 points, instead of which Salaspils “Super Nova” will play next year.
The Premier League championship with the participation of ten teams takes place in four rounds, with each team playing 36 games. 180 games are expected to be played until November 9.
Last season, RFS became the champion for the second time, which ensured victory only in the last round, winning over “Metta” team with 1:0.
Interview with Football Expert Dr. Alexei Koval
Time.news Editor: Good to have you with us today, Dr. Koval! The recent matches in the league have been incredibly thrilling. Let’s start with Auda’s dominant 5-0 victory against Metta. What are your thoughts on their performance?
Dr. Alexei Koval: Thank you for having me! Auda’s performance was phenomenal, showcasing their offensive strength and teamwork. Scoring five goals, especially with Deniss Melnik and Bakari Mane finding the net early and establishing that momentum, is crucial. Their ability to capitalize on opportunities, especially Mane’s close call that still ended in a goal, speaks volumes about their determination.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! It looks like they finished the season strong with five wins in a row. What do you think has contributed to their successful streak?
Dr. Alexei Koval: Auda’s consistency can be attributed to a mix of strategic gameplay and individual brilliance. The coaching staff has clearly instilled a tactical framework that emphasizes pressing and swift counterattacks. Furthermore, their players, like Oskars Rubenis and Žedi Stevensons, are stepping up at crucial moments, which is pivotal during high-pressure situations toward the end of the season.
Time.news Editor: On the other hand, we saw Tukums 2000 finally break their losing streak with a 3-2 win over Valmiera. How significant is that victory for them?
Dr. Alexei Koval: It’s immensely significant! Tukums had been struggling, and to come back from that defeatist mindset with a win on the road can be a real turning point. The penalties demonstrate their resilience. Kaspars Anmanis’s early goal was essential, as scoring first often helps in building momentum and confidence. Their ability to respond to Valmiera’s equalizers shows a newfound tenacity.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned the importance of penalties. It seems they played a crucial role in this match as well as in Daugavpils’ comeback against Liepāja. Could you elaborate on the mental aspect of dealing with penalties in high-stakes games?
Dr. Alexei Koval: Absolutely! Penalties can be both a blessing and a curse. When a team is awarded one, especially in tight matches, it can lift their spirits or apply immense pressure on the player taking the shot. Tukums and Daugavpils converting their penalties showcases not just skill but mental fortitude. Being able to perform under such pressure can be a significant confidence booster moving forward.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of Daugavpils, they managed to stage a remarkable comeback against Liepāja, equalizing not just once, but twice. How does this reflect on their squad dynamics?
Dr. Alexei Koval: Daugavpils’ ability to equalize multiple times indicates strong character and synergy within the team. Players like Muhamed Kone stepped up decisively, and such moments forge a tighter-knit group. Coming back from a two-goal deficit and then sealing fifth place in the standings is no small feat. It suggests they are not only talented but also mentally resilient, traits that will serve them well in future competitions.
Time.news Editor: Lastly, while Jelgava secured a win against Grobinu/LFS, they have lost their Superleague status. How do you see their future heading into the next season?
Dr. Alexei Koval: It’s a tough situation for Jelgava. While winning against Grobinu is good for morale, losing their Superleague place can be demoralizing. They will need to reassess their strategy and perhaps focus on youth development and building a strong foundation. It’s a time for reorganization, resilience, and finding ways to adapt to the challenges of the league below.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Koval! Your insights are always enlightening. It will be fascinating to see how these teams shape their futures in the upcoming seasons.
Dr. Alexei Koval: Thank you! The landscape of football is ever-evolving, and I look forward to discussing it again as the new season unfolds.