In the 15th round of the Optibet Virsliga season, Valmiera FC traveled to Liepaja to face the former coach Tamaz Pertia and his FK Liepaja team. Valmiera pulled off a 2:1 victory against a short-handed opposing squad in a stressful but rather eventful game.
The match began with both sides trying to find their path. Valmiera offered high-altitude offense, yet Liepaja wanted to establish themselves in battles on the pitch. One of the moments ended badly for the host side. Janis Krautmis went sliding into the legs of Maksims Tonisevs and received a red card.
As if the football wasn’t tough enough – Tamaz Pertia was forced to take off Nino Noordanus in the 29th minute as Valmiera kept playing their game. A man-up and full-on attack. The ball was controlled, however, action lacked in the final third.
Henri Stanic managed to upset Valmiera. He first received a yellow card in the 37th minute of the match but then his most important action followed. A cross from the corner and he was up in the air to assure the ball would go into the goal, 1:0 after the first forty-five.
Jurgis Kalns got his guns blazing – he brought on Gustavo Silva for the second half and it paid off. After a variety of attacks, Gustavo Silva unleashed a kick from a distance. The ball somehow found its way into the goal and Valmiera reached an equalizer.
Just ten minutes later another sway of substitutions for Jurgis Kalns. This time Juan Penaloza and Ingars Pulis entered the game. Valmiera had possession of the ball but that always didn’t mean danger near the goal. Finally, after a wave of opportunities – the stalemate was broken.
A cross followed into the penalty area and Juan was right in the position where he was supposed to be. With the ball on his head, he managed to put his team up by a goal.
A cold shower for Liepaja, as they now assumed their duties as an attacking side but luck and willpower weren’t on their side. Valmiera FC was granted to have their one-goal lead after 95 minutes of football action.
Our next game will be played on Wednesday (31.05) as we will be hosting FK Metta at Jana Dalina Stadium to close out the month of May.
