Metalurg's midfielder Daniel Kastner (on right) against Ventspils defense
(foto: rekurzeme.lv)

This Monday four matches were played in Latvian "LMT Virslīga" football championship. Central round’s battle this time were held in Liepāja where home side SK Liepajas Metalurgs took all three points from current champions FK Ventspils.

More than two thousand fans decided to spent Mondays afternoon in Daugava’s stadium where Metalurgs played against other Kurzeme region team, last year’s champion FK Ventspils. Matches between these two clubs are special in Latvia and called as the Kurzeme Derby. Just like all other games between Metalurgs and Ventspils, this one was very exciting and intriguing.

At the start of the match guests from Ventspils played a little bit more active with long passes. But it was not the best way in this match, because Metalurgs looked ready for such opponents game style and most of long balls were headed away in time.

In the middle of the first half Metalurgs started to play better, while Ventspils didn’t found they way to success. First side of Kurzemes derby wasn’t the best for Latvian international and Ventspils first goalkeeper Andris Vanins, who made some mistakes after corner kicks.

However, after referee’s final first half whistle the scoreboard showed the same result for both clubs – 0:0.

After 15 minutes pause Ventspils looked much more fresher than their opponents and was very close to the target when only goalkeeper Spole saved Metalurgs from going a goal down.

Soon after this episode first goal was scored – Maksims Rafalskis was the man to open the scoring with a great shot from 17 meters in 53th minute.

Just one minute later Girts Karlsons doubled the lead – he took advantage of a very bad mistake by former Inverness CT defender Pavils Mihadjuks and it was 2:0.

After a few bad episodes for Ventspils the guests started to use aggressive way of football to reach the target, and they got it in the 69 minute when Grigory Chirkin showed his ability after chaos near the Metalurgs net.

Last minutes of the match were very intriguing – both teams tried to stabilize their situation but score didn’t chang and Metalurgs achieved an important victory and three points.

In the other matches Skonto and Jūrmala took the maximum of points while Olimps and Dinaburg played in a draw.

After this round Ivans Lukjanovs, who scored three goals into the Daugava net, became the top scorer in the Virslīga.

Article from www.balticleague.com

LMT Virslīga - 17th round matches

Results:
Olimps/RFS - FK Dinaburg 1:1
Goals: Kļimovs 57' - Krjauklis 32'

Jūrmala-VV - SK Blāzma Rēzekne 3:0
Goals: Kalns 14', 25', 37'

Skonto FC - FK Daugava Rīga 6:0
Goals: Blanks 1', Lukjanovs 35', 59'(11m), 74', Semjonovs 83', Dvališvili 90'

SK Liep. metalurgs - FK Ventspils 2:1
Goals: Rafaļskis 53', Karlsons 54' – Čirkins 69'

More information about LMT Virslīga here:
http://www.lff.lv/lv/virsliga/

LFF Press department