In the 11th round of the Optibet futbola Virsliga, playing at home, we took on the league’s newcomers FC Noah Jurmala. In a game in which opponents showed tough resistance, we managed to get a win (2:0).
The team’s head coach, Tamaz Pertia, started this fight with several players who had played little in previous games, or even at all. Mootez Zaddem made his first appearance in Valmiera’s shirt this season – in the first months of this year, the 20-year young Tunisian was showing his best at the camps of Tunisia’S U20 and Tunisia’s national teams. Svyatoslav Kozhedub made a first appearance in the starting eleven, as well as Maksims Tonisevs, who also had a debut in the new club in the official games. The 19-year-old left-back Rudolfs Zengis also experienced his first appearance this season.
At the first half of the game, this selection of players by Pertia struggled on the pitch, guys were at the height of their tasks in defense and in the battle, but there was something missing in the attack. The only moment was made by Raimonds Krollis, whose shot was repelled by the goalkeeper.
The second half-time turned out to be a lot different. Four players were replaced in the break, and it instantly worked out. Valmiera FC turned on the speed and it was only a matter of time in which minute the first goal would be scored. And it happened at the 68th minute when a perfectly delivered corner by Ivan Zhelizko and Luka Gadrani’s ball extension was finished by Djibril Gueye goal. Two minutes later, Ibrahima Sow doubled the result after the perfect cross by Eriks Punculs’ and Gueye’s last assist.
During the rest of the game, we had at least two more great chances (Sow and Gueye) to score another goal, but that didn’t happen – ultimately, we’ve ended up with a sixth victory in a championship that returned us to the tournament leader’s position for one day.
In the next round on 14 May at 18.00, we will play with FK Ventspils on away game.