Valmiera FC played the second pre-season match in Tallinn, this time around it was a battle for the Livonian Cup against Estonian champions FC Flora. Following a penalty kick and a red card things were clear – this time the home side would triumph with a score of 2:0.
The early step of the match heralded good news – football will be exciting. Both teams were not shy to go forward. The events on the pitch were dictated by the Valmiera FC team, which already had two excellent chances to score goals in the first five minutes of the match, but were unsuccessful. In the 16th minute, another dangerous raid, when Kristians Kauselis broke through to the goal alone, this time the opponent’s goalkeeper worked more successfully to grant a save.
In the 21st minute of the game, Klavs Lauva made a save for the first time, and was able to catch the ball after an opponent hit from a very close distance. Right after that, due to our own mistake, another opportunity for the home team – a shot in the upper corner of the goal, but our goalkeeper did an excellent job there as well. The result was revealed in the 32nd minute when Daniels Balodis tripped an opponent in his own penalty area, therefore an 11-meter penalty kick was awarded, which was also capitalized upon. In the frenzy of half-time, we were trailing 0:1.
For the second half, Jurgis Kalns made several substitutions, with Davis Veisbuks, Emils Birka, Jekabs Laguns, and Niks Sliede coming on the pitch. The beginning of the second half was already a little more cautious for both teams, however, with the help of pressing, the home team forced their game, so they had an advantage in the beginning – a lot of work for both luck and Veisbuks, who just recently had stepped out to play.
In the 55th minute, Djibril Gueye sent the ball into the goal, seemingly making it 1-1, but the goal was disallowed due to an off-side. Moments later Meissa Diop met the goalkeeper on the counterattack, this time luck was on the opponent’s side as well. Dangerously, our attacks followed each other, in the 67th minute, Alvis Jaunzems kicked hard, but again the goalkeeper played safely.
An unexpected turn in the game – Maksims Tonisevs received a red card after the opponent’s contact with the surface of the pitch, leaving the team with a man down. In the continuation, the players of FC Flora gained solid control of the ball, creating attacks that were quite threatening. Veisbuks worked brilliantly several times in the goal, however, in the 87th minute, a completely free opponent received a cross pass, and hit the ball into the goal, achieving 0:2, which was also the final result of the game.
Our starting 11 vs FC Flora: Klāvs Lauva, Daniels Balodis, Roberts Veips, Pape Yare Fall, Maksims Tonisevs, Ivan Zhelizko, Djibril Gueye, Alvis Jaunzems, RenarsVarslavans, Meissa Diop, Kristians Kauselis.
The players involved in the game from the bench: Davis Veisbuks, Niks Sliede, Jekabs Laguns, Emils Birka, Kristers Neilands, Niks Dusalijevs, Ingars Pulis.
As for our next steps in the preparation process for the upcoming 2023. Virsliga season – we will keep you updated in near future.
