On Sunday in Indonesia, the Latvian national futsal team claimed victory in a friendly tournament, edging out the hosts in the decisive match with a 3-2 scoreline.
After just 12 minutes of play, Latvia struck first when Viktors Kuļepovs capitalized on high pressing, finishing a well-timed assist from Edgars Tarakanovs. The goal marked Kuļepovs’ fourth of the tournament. However, the home side quickly responded, converting from a cleverly executed corner to level the score.
Early in the second half, Tarakanovs once again showcased his blistering pace, beating the goalkeeper and scoring from a tight angle. Indonesia pushed forward aggressively in search of an equalizer, but with seven minutes left on the clock, they were punished once more: Kuļepovs fired in from long range into an empty net, extending Latvia’s lead. The hosts managed to pull one back just 11 seconds before the final whistle, but Latvia held on for the win.
Earlier in the competition, Latvia had opened with a 3-2 win over the Netherlands on Thursday, while Indonesia had defeated Tanzania 7-1. On Saturday, Latvia overcame Tanzania 3-0, and the Indonesians powered past the Dutch 5-1.
In the global futsal rankings, Indonesia currently sits 23rd, the Netherlands 28th, Latvia 60th, and Tanzania 138th.
The Latvian Futsal team head coach Massimiliano Bellarteside used this tournament as preparation for the upcoming UEFA Futsal Euro final tournament, which will be staged in Riga, Kaunas, and Ljubljana from January 20 to February 7.
Latvia Futsal National Team – Candidate List
- Rainers Mūrnieks – Goalkeeper – Riga Futsal Club
- Artjoms Križanovskis – Goalkeeper – FC Nikers
- Igors Labuts – Goalkeeper – Riga Futsal Club
- Edgars Tarakanovs – Field player – RSC Anderlecht Futsal (Belgium)
- Artjoms Troickis – Field player – Jagiellonia Białystok Futsal (Poland)
- Andrejs Baklanovs – Field player – CDM Futsal Genova (Italy)
- Miks Babris – Field player – Futsal Senior FC Famalicao (Portugal)
- Ņikita Jelagovs – Field player – TFK Beitar
- Andžejs Mickēvičs – Field player – Riga Futsal Club
- Viktors Kuļepovs – Field player – Riga Futsal Club
- Daniils Fogels – Field player – Riga Futsal Club
- Sergejs Motiļs – Field player – TFK Beitar
- Maksims Potlovs – Field player – Daugavpils Futbola Skola
- Emīls Atamaņukovs – Field player – ITAR Futsal (Italy)
- Germans Matjušenko – Field player – TFK Beitar
Source: https://lff.lv/zinas/18512/telpu-futbola-izlase-ar-nevainojamu-bilanci-triumfe-turnira-indonezija/
