On the longest away trip of the season, Valmiera FC could not quite find the luck and precision needed to secure victory in Liepāja against FK Karosta — instead of the hoped-for three points, the team returned home with just one, after a 1–1 draw.
The hosts started brighter on the well used pitch of the Olimpija Stadium, taking advantage of Valmiera’s poor marking and confusion during a corner in the 12th minute, when Matīss Žuburs scored.
Valmiera answered in almost identical fashion 13 minutes later — a scrappy ball in the box fell to Rodžers Krasts, who turned it into the net to make it 1–1.
From there, however, what followed was far from what the Valmiera coaching staff had envisioned. The attacks broke down, passes failed to connect, and Karosta’s relentless effort, combined with the poor pitch quality, prevented either team from playing attractive football.
The fight for victory lasted until the final whistle, with Valmiera desperately pushing for a winner. The best late chances were wasted by Rojs Bušs and Yusuke Omori, both sending the ball high into the seaside pines of Liepāja instead of into the net.
Whether it feels like a point gained or two dropped, the draw doesn’t change the standings dramatically. Four games remain against the same group of opponents — three of them at Jānis Daliņš Stadium. The first comes on September 27 at 14:00, when Valmiera hosts FK Ķekava/Auda.
See you at the stadium, friends!
