Edmundson flies flag for Faroes

Having only won one competitive match at this level prior to this campaign, the Faroe Islands recorded their second Group 1 victory 1-0 against Latvia in qualifying for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Russia defeated
Johan Edmundson scored the winner against Russia in June and he repeated the feat in Riga with a 55th-minute header. Latvia were without the suspended Artjoms Rudnevs, Edgars Gauračs and captain Jevgenijs Kosmačovs and were fortunate not to fall behind before the break, goalkeeper Kaspars Ikstens twice saving well from Ossur Dalbud on 35 and 43 minutes.

Missed opportunities
Latvia pressed more after the interval, but after a couple of near misses fell behind on 55 minutes when Edmundson headed Jóhan Davidsen's cross from the right firmly past Ikstens. Needing to win to realistically keep alive their faint hopes of catching top two Russia and Romania, Latvia pushed forward but were unable to make the most of their chances.

Faroes impress
Their best opportunity fell to Daniils Turkovs on 72 minutes but he failed to capitalise after Ikstens's long free-kick had sent him clear of the visiting defence. The result leaves Latvia in third on nine points from seven matches, nine behind Russia ahead of the two side's meeting next August. The Faroe Islands, on seven points, will climb above Latvia into third should they beat Andorra on Saturday.