Valmiera FC began its Latvian Cup campaign this season in the Round of 32, where the draw paired the team with fellow LVBET League side Skanstes SK. The draw also determined that the match would be played in Valmiera. On a pleasant Saturday afternoon, both teams met at the Valmiera Olympic Centre (with Jānis Daliņš Stadium already reserved for athletics competitions) and gave everything they had in pursuit of victory and a place in the next round.
Valmiera’s players still had fresh memories of Skanste’s 4–2 victory in a pre-season friendly. Then again, there had also been the 0–6 defeat against Metta, followed by our response in the league with a 2–1 victory. There is a close connection between Metta and Skanste, as Skanste serves as a development platform for many future Metta first-team players. Spoiler alert – revenge was achieved against Skanste as well.
Head coach Gatis Kalniņš made several changes to his usual starting lineup, giving a number of players with fewer minutes this season an opportunity to prove themselves in an important match. None of them disappointed. The starting eleven competed admirably against the Skanste side, although neither team managed to create many clear chances. The visitors also struggled in the final third, with many of their counterattacks breaking down before seriously testing Haralds Kalniņš in the Valmiera goal.
The decisive moment did not arrive until the closing stages of the match. By then, Valmiera’s key players had entered the field, and the pressure on the Skanste goal was steadily increasing. In one sequence, the crossbar was struck twice within seconds. Finally, in the 88th minute, following a corner delivered by Fraj Kairmani, team captain Rodžers Krasts rose highest and headed the ball into the net.
Just two minutes later, the same duo combined again—this time with the roles reversed—to settle the contest and remove any remaining doubt about the outcome. The score became 2–0, and what had seemed destined for a penalty shootout only moments earlier was suddenly decided in Valmiera’s favour. In the space of two minutes, the team’s leaders carried Valmiera safely into the next round of the competition.
The draw for the Round of 16 will take place on June 3, with matches expected to be played between June 20 and June 22.
Latvian football now enters the international break, giving the players a longer period of rest from club duties. Several of our younger footballers also have important school examinations ahead. We are especially proud of Rojs Bušs, who has been called up to the Latvia U-19 national team for the Baltic Cup, where Latvia will face Lithuania on June 4 and Estonia on June 8 at Jānis Skredelis Stadium.
Valmiera FC will return to action on June 14, travelling to Tukums to face FK Tukums 2000-2/TSS. Kick-off is scheduled for 14:00 on the artificial pitch at Tukums City Stadium.
