If there’s one tournament that has historically eluded Valmiera FC, it’s the Latvian Cup. And despite a strong start this year — overcoming FK Limbaži, FK Cēsis, and FK Ogre United — the run came to an end in the 4th round with a heartbreaking 3:4 loss to Riga Mariners, one of the top teams in the Nākotnes līga.
The match went the full distance — 120 minutes — in a dramatic showdown between two evenly matched sides, led by former teammates turned rival coaches: Sergejs Kožans and Gatis Kalniņš.
The first half was relatively calm, with only one goal to report: in the 25th minute, Valmiera’s captain Mārcis Ērglis was quickest to react near goal, putting his team ahead — 1:0 — to the delight of the many travelling Valmiera supporters in the stands.
The second half brought far more action. In the 51st minute, the referee pointed to the spot after a foul near Haralds Kalniņš’s goal. Algirdas Gražis calmly converted the penalty for 1:1. Eight minutes later, Valmiera struck again — this time through the red-hot Richmond Owusu, who met a cross with a stunning header. The ball bounced once, arched over the goalkeeper, and landed in the far corner — 2:1.
That scoreline held until the 88th minute, when another penalty was awarded against Valmiera — again converted by Gražys — 2:2. Things worsened quickly: substitute Niks Savaļnieks received two yellow cards in short succession, leaving Valmiera to face extra time with just ten men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Valmiera fought bravely and created several golden chances in the first half of extra time — but couldn’t convert. And as the old rule goes: if you don’t score, the opponent will. Early in the second half of extra time, Alans Siņeļnikovs sparked an attack, and it was Eduards Višņakovs who finished it off — 2:3. A few minutes later, Valmiera defender Daniel Adelakun accidentally turned the ball into his own net — 2:4.
Yusuke Omori was awarded a late penalty and converted it himself — a small consolation and a reward for his tireless performance throughout the match — closing the score at 3:4.
So ends Valmiera’s Latvian Cup journey for this year.
But the season’s main goal remains unchanged — promotion to the Nākotnes līga. That mission continues on June 29 at 12:00, when Valmiera FC hosts FS Jelgava-2 at Jānis Daliņš Stadium in a pivotal top-of-the-table clash in the Altero.lv LIIGA.
It’s going to be a big one — you need to be there.
