Round 2 of the Latvian Futsal Higher League wrapped up this weekend with a derby triumph for TFK Salaspils and a surprise away victory for FC Nikers against TFK Beitar.
The weekend opened with one of the most anticipated matches of the round, as Beitar hosted Nikers. The home side made a strong start when Germans Matjušenko scored in the fifth minute, but the visitors responded almost immediately through Ralfs Timbers.
Timbers struck again in the 11th minute to give the Kuldīga-based club the lead, but Elmārs Ģēģeris equalized shortly after with his first goal of the season. Beitar had a chance to regain the lead late in the first half, but Sergejs Motiļs missed from the penalty spot, sending the teams into the break level at 2-2.
Early in the second half, Krists Krūmiņš restored Nikers’ advantage, only for Ģēģeris to equalize again with his second of the match. Despite going down to 10 men after Rihards Ponomarjovs was sent off, Nikers finished stronger – late goals from Ihor Yevtushevskyi and Aleksis Štūlbergs sealed a dramatic away win and their second victory of the season.
In the Salaspils derby, TFK Salaspils came from behind to beat FA Salaspils 4-1. After conceding in the eighth minute, the hosts took full control, scoring four unanswered goals through Maksims Puzikovs, Kristiāns Kārkliņš, Artūrs Kuļešovs, and Andrejs Jēgers to record their first win of the season.
Elsewhere, Elvis Bovins scored twice to help Daugavpils FS cruise to a 5-1 victory over Futbola Parks Academy, while FK Madona fell 0-3 at home to FK Nīca/OtankiMill. Mārcis Červoņikovs scored twice in the second half to secure the points for the visitors.
Round 3 of the Latvian Futsal Higher League kicks off next weekend, highlighted by a clash between defending champions Riga Futsal Club and Futbola Parks Academy.
Latvian Futsal Virslīga Matchday 2:
TFK Beitar vs FC Nikers – 3:5 (2:2)
Goals: Matjušenko 5′, Ģēģers 12′ 28′ | Timbers 5′ 11′, Krūmiņš 21′, Yevtushevskyi 36′, Štūlbergs 38′
Futbola Parks Academy vs Daugavpils FS – 1:5 (0:2)
Goals: Gondarjuks 39′ | Bovins 7′ 36′, Lietaunieks 18′, Djatkovičs 25′, Potlovs 33′
TFK Salaspils vs FA Salaspils – 4:1 (1:1)
Goals: Puzikovs 10′, Kārkliņš 23′, Kuļešovs 35′, Jēgers 40′ | Bērziņš 8′
FK Madona vs FK Nīca/OtankiMill – 0:3 (0:1)
Goals: Kovaļskis 14′, Červoņikovs 34′, 40′
