New-look Latvia defeated
Saturday, December 20, 2003
Article summary
Latvia 0-2 Kuwait An experimental Latvia side is beaten in Cyprus despite dominating the match.
Article body
Latvia 0-2 Kuwait
Kuwait ahead
With Latvian coach Aleksandrs Starkovs taking a chance to field possible squad contenders with his side preparing for UEFA EURO 2004™, Kuwait went ahead on seven minutes. Viktors Dobrecovs and Mihails Miholaps both went close for Latvia before half-time, but they could not level.
Penalty saved
Although Vits Rimkus, Igors Semjonovs, Arturs Zakresevskis and Kristaps Blanks were introduced after the break, Kuwait doubled their lead on the hour. Latvia were awarded a penalty nine minutes later for a foul on Blanks, but Miholaps's kick was saved, and the striker was later replaced by debutant Girts Karlsons.
'No one disappointed me'
Starkovs was in optimistic mood despite the defeat. "It is never good to lose but today I was just trying to find out how our reserves are playing as they begin their preparations for next season. I cannot say that anyone particularly impressed me, but no one disappointed me either. We should improve our finishing, because we controlled the game but could not score. On 27 December we play Andalusia and I am not going to change much for that match." His side return to Cyprus in February for a mini-tournament.
