MM Footy News

RFS beat Cypriot club APOEL in a vital 2-1 victory in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League playoffs at the LNK Sporta Parks. It is the forth ever victory for RFS in the Europa League. Adam Markhiyev & Jānis Ikaunieks celebrate the second goal! Image Source: RFS X page 13 minutes into the match, the visitors had a huge opportunity to take the lead as Cameroonian keeper Farbice Ondoa was off his line. APOEL took advantage of that and got the ball in the penalty box for Xavi Quintillà who's shot was saved by Albanian defender Herdi Prenga whom headed the ball away from danger. In the 31st minute the hosts took the lead as Jānis Ikaunieks passed to Cedric Kouadio who was one on one with APEOL keeper Vid Belec and chipped the ball over him to make it 1-0. Just a minute before half time, RFS were awarded a penalty after Lasha Dvali blocked Ismael Diomande's shot. Before the penalty shot, Belec was playing mind games with Ikaunieks and pointed him to where to shoot the penalty

Auda made history and quality to the UEFA Conference League 3rd Qualifying Round for the first time in their history after beating Northern Irish side Cliftonville FC 2-0 (4-1 aggregate) at the Skonto Stadium in Riga. Auda are undefeated in Europe this season and have won all four of their Conference League matches.  Abiodun Ogunniyi celebrates after scoring vs Cliftonville Image Source: FK Auda Facebook Page Four minutes into the match Auda nearly got off to the perfect start, as Matheus Clemente made a beautiful through ball to Nigerian forward Abdulrahman Taiwo whose shot went past Cliftonville keeper David Odumosu but hit the post. Auda were controlling the tempo of the game as in the 20th minute, Abiodun Ogunniyi’s shot from outside the box was deflected by Cliftonville midfielder Conor Pepper and just missed the left hand post. The first half finished 0-0 as Auda had 59% ball possession and were in control of the match. Cliftonville were solid at the back however they need a goal

There was a lot of hype for the Rīgas Derbijs (Riga Derby) between RFS and Riga FC and it did not disappoint as Riga FC came from 2-0 down to  2-2 in a sold out match. The new stand for the RFS stadium the LNK Sporta Parks was built just before this match and it made the atmosphere electric.  The RFS fans cheering on their club Image Source: LNK Sporta Parks Facebook Page The hosts got off to the perfect start as they took the lead ten minutes in the game. Slovenian defender Žiga Lipušček scored a brilliant header from Roberts Savaļnieks corner kick and scored his forth goal of the season. 13 minutes later RFS had a huge chance to double the lead as Emerson was pulled down in the box by Gonzalo Muscia. Lipušček's penalty shot however went straight at Rihards Matrevics which was a huge sigh of relief for the Riga FC fans. Riga FC had a chance of their own as in the 33rd minute as Gauthier Mankenda dribbled past two defenders. Mankenda then passed it to Kemelho Nguena who's shot

Top of the table Riga FC face BFC Daugavpils in what should be an entertaining Virsliga fixture on Friday night. Riga FC have 12 points and are aiming to keep their unbeaten run at home while the Latgale side are aiming for an upset. BFC Daugavpils have taken the league by surprise and are undefeated in their first five league matches with 11 points.   Daugavpils & Riga FC players clash in last season's encounter Image Source: Riga FC Facebook Page The Rīdzinieki have been solid at the back this season as they have had four clean sheets in five matches. Ghanaian defender Baba Musah has been the major factor in Riga's solid backline as he has a fantastic average pass accuracy rate of 95%. 21-year old left midfielder Eduards Dašķevičs is a player to watch as  many Latvian football fans have high hopes on him for the future. He is a quick and technical player who is very good with the ball with a successful dribbling rate of 82% in the Virsliga. Up front Riga FC have Marko Reg