Rubins and old masters star for Latvia
Wednesday 14 October 2009
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Latvia's Aleksandrs Cauņa tackles Gheorghe Ovseannicov (©Getty Images)
Andrejs Rubins scored twice for Latvia, with captain Vitālijs Astafjevs equalling Martin Reim's European record of 157 international caps as they ended Group 2 with a win.
Personal milestone
Saturday's 5-2 loss in Greece ended Latvia's hopes of reaching the FIFA World Cup, and Aleksandrs Starkovs' men got the worse of the opening exchanges in Riga, Serghei Namaşco and Gheorghe Ovseannicov both threatening before the latter opened the scoring with a fine volley from Valeriu Catinsus's 25th-minute cross. However, the dismissal of Moldova captain Serghei Laşcencov for deliberate handball five minutes later left the visitors winded, Rubins scoring with a low shot from the resulting free-kick. Maris Verpakovskis set Rubins up to head his second just before the break and substitute Genādijs Soloņicins crossed for Kristaps Grebis to make it 3-1 on 76 minutes. Veaceslav Sofroni reduced the arrears but, after Jurijs Laizans reached a personal milestone as he came on to make his 100th Latvia appearance, the home side prevailed.
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