The 1st round of the Optibet futbola Virslīga has ended with a Valmiera FC away victory (3:2) over last year’s championship second place owner RFS.
Match started with an RFS early goal — Darko Lemajič on target — 1:0. After ten minutes played, Tamaz Pertia man took initiative and started to create chances in the opponent’s half. Only just before the halftime break came the equalizer goal, when Valmiera’s captain Raimonds Krollis smashed the ball from the penalty area with his left foot — goalkeeper had no chance stopping it — 1:1.
Good quality football from both teams was shown in a second-half too. The defining moment of the match was two quick goals from Valmiera FC players. In the 51st minute, after the assist from Luka Silagadze, Djibril Gueye hit the ball right in the bottom corner of the goal —1:2. Eight minutes later Djibril stole the ball from the opponent near the penalty area, which led to a fast attack ending with Krollis spectacular goal, his second in the match — 1:3.
After dropping behind by two goals, RFS made a bigger effort on the attack by bringing on substitutes. In the 64th minute, Lemajič scored his second — 2:3. The intrigue in this match was restored. However, Pertia’s man was able to protect their goal untouched until the final whistle, celebrating the start of the season with a great victory — 3:2.
On Friday, 19 March Valmiera FC in the second round of the championship on home ground in Vidzemes Olimpiskais centrs will take on BFC Daugavpils.
