Latvia round-up: Late equaliser saves Ventspilis
Sunday, May 25, 2003
Article summary
A last-minute goal from Vitas Rimkus gave FK Ventspilis a 1-1 draw at FK Gauja.
Article body
FK Ventspilis narrowly avoided a defeat away at FK Gauja in the latest round of matches in the Virsliga.
Late equaliser
The home side took an unexpected lead after 27 minutes as Gennadijs Rogovs converted a penalty following a handball from defender Maris Smirnovs. Ventspilis pressed forward in search of an equaliser but failed to break through until the final minute as Latvia international forward Vitas Rimkus, who had come on as a substitute, scored the equaliser in the closing seconds.
Skonto success
Reigning champions FC Skonto secured an emphatic 7-0 success at FK Auda Riga, with Kalninsh and Maris Verpakovskis both scoring twice and Aleksejs Vishnjakovs, Vladimirs Kolesnichenko and Kristaps Blanks once each.
Important victory
FHK Liepajas Metalurgs recorded an important 2-0 win against FC Dinaburg thanks to goals from Viktors Dobrecovs on 25 minutes and Girts Karlsons nine minutes from time. The points moved Metalurgs to within a point of Ventspilis with a game in hand.
First win
FK Riga earned their first win of the season as they defeated newly-promoted RKB-Arma Riga 3-1, with Jurijs Zigaevs scoring twice. Ruslans Zejnalovs added a third, while Vladimirs Poljanskij scored the only goal for RKB-Arma.
