In the 18th round of Optibet futbola Virslīga, in Liepaja, we suffered the fourth loss this season losing to FK Liepaja with 1:2.
The Ukrainian full-back Roman Yakuba made a debut for Valmiera in this game. This was also the first game without one of the leaders this season, full-back Joyskim Dawa, who has left the club by the end of his contract.
The start of the game was behind the hosts, who were more able to control the ball and more dangerous to form their own attacks, one of which was also successful. In the 8th minute of the game, after Seydina Keita’s long shot, the ball hit another teammate on its way to the goal and flew into the Rihards Matrevics protected goal – 0:1.
Pertia’s footballers only entered a game around the middle of half-time. In the 29th minute, Viktor Aleksandrov sent a long-distance pass from his side to the opponent’s penalty area where Djibril Gueye put an effort just to head the ball on to his partner in the attack – Ibrahima Sow, the successful Senegal striker made no mistake on finishing from a close distance – 1:1.
At the end of half-time, Matrevics was forced to demonstrate his skills, therefore, saving his team from losing yet another goal.
At the second half-time, Valmiera’s players were able to give their opponents far more headaches by demonstrating a more organized game.
Unfortunately, in the 76th minute of the game, the referee of the game assigned a very questionable penalty on our goal, and despite the almost successful efforts by Matrevics, Liepaja’s captain Dodo was able to put his team in front – 1: 2.
In the remaining, nearly 20 minutes Pertia’s men were able to create at least three good opportunities in front of Liepaja’s net, unfortunately, none of them were realized this time, and a very painful loss was experienced in the game.
On 16 August (17:30), in the next championship game, we will compete with FK Metta at Daugava Stadium in Riga.
