Skonto slip without Starkovs

By Aleksandrs Vasiljevs

Life after Aleksandrs Starkovs has not started well for Skonto FC. Jurijs Andrejevs took charge of the champions following Starkovs' departure for FC Spartak Moskva, but the new coach has already tasted defeat as FHK Liepajas Metalurgs pull away at the top.

Skonto slip
A 6-1 win at bottom side FK Auda on 17 September eased Andrejevs into the job, but Skonto were beaten four days later when goals from Federico Campora and former Skonto player Vladimir Babichev propelled FK Jurmala to an unexpected 2-0 away win. This reverse has reduced the team's chances of reclaiming the title, with Skonto lying six points behind Metalurgs albeit with two games in hand.

Ventspils success
More disappointment followed on Sunday when Skonto lost the Latvian Cup final to FK Ventspils for the second year running. Vits Rimkus and Deimantas Bicka scored the goals in a 2-1 victory which has given Ventspils, third in the table, the chance of an unlikely double. With three of their remaining four home matches against title rivals, and Ventspils seven points off the top with a game in hand, they could yet win the Virsliga.

Metalurgs charge
But it is another club from the Kurzeme region, Metalurgs, who are best placed to end Skonto's reign and land a first-ever title. Benjaminas Zelkevicius's side turned on the style in September - admittedly against weaker opponents - thrashing SK Ditton Daugavpils 4-0 away then humiliating Auda 10-1.

Extra week
Metalurgs and Ventspils' good form in Europe has had a knock-on effect in the Virsliga. The Latvia Football Federation has prolonged the season by a week to 11 November following their successful runs to the first round of the UEFA Cup.

Auda down
At the other end of the table, Auda picked up their first point in 22 attempts by drawing 1-1 with Jurmala on 7 September, but the Riga team have now been relegated. Ditton look most likely to contest the relegation play-off after losing 1-0 at home to FK Riga, their closest rivals for the drop, on 21 September.

Korablovs first
Finally, Latvian international Igors Korablovs has become the first player to make 300 domestic-league appearances. The 3-1 defeat of FC Dinaburg on 21 September was the Ventspils captain's 302nd Virsliga outing.