FK "Spartaks" came in todays game after having suffered two consecutive scoreless losses to BFC "Daugavpils" and FK "Metta". The prospects for the match against "Riga" FC looked bleak after two of the starting eleven players - Leonel Wamba and Heythem Kerbache could not play due to injury.
The match started as many predicted with "Riga" controlling the ball more and having several good scoring chances, with Optibet Virslīga top striker Stefan Milosevic having the best chance of the opening 20 minutes, but was denied by the post. On one of the few attacking plays, that "Spartaks" produced, ended up with "Spartaks" leading goal scorer Richard Emeka Friday converting the chance. This did not change the complexion of the match and "Riga" continued to apply pressure till the end of 1st half.
The 2nd half saw more of the same, with "Riga" having majority of possession and "Spartaks" defending resolutely. "Riga" did manage to equalize with the help of their substitute Felipe Brisola, who scored with a well placed shot from just outside the box As it came closer to full-time, the game heated up and got very physical, as a result yellow cards came one after the other and FK "Spartaks" midfielder Abidoun Ogunniyi was shown his second yellow and sent off. The final minutes of the match were heart breaking for "Spartaks" as on the 89th minute Stefan Milosevic put the Rīga side ahead with an unstoppable shot in the top corner from the middle of the box. "Spartaks" did have a great opportunity to equalize, but Cristian Dros put the ball just wide from a free-kick.
The next match will be just as challenging for FK "Spartaks" as next Tuesday we take on current league leaders - FK RFS, who are yet to play on MD 12, but will undoubtedly want to continue their run of good form.
"Riga" - "Spartaks" 2:1 (0:1)
Goals: Brisola72', Miloševič 89' - Friday 25'
Red cards: Ogunniyi
Cautions: Durišič, Sečerovič - Soloveičiks, Skrebels, Friday, Ogunniyi, Prepelita, Asamoah
Riga: Ozols, Fjodorovs (Babayan 61'), Černomordijs, Vranjanin, Rugins (Kurakins 83'), Sečerovič, Nata (Brisola 61'), Durišič, Kamešs, Ramoss (Leo 61'), Miloševič.
Spartaks: Ošs, Skrebels (Šlampe 90') Rivoira, Prepelita, Bērenfelds, Soloveičiks (Camara 63'), Markhiyev, Abdullahi (Dross 90'), Ogunniyi, Friday, Edhere (Asamoah 77')