Latvian champions, FC RFS, win the Latvian Cup for the third time in their history following an added time 4-2 victory over FK Auda.
This year’s final was not the first time when RFS and Auda took to the field to contest the historic domestic cup. Two years ago, in 2022, Auda secured their first-ever silverware following a 1-0 win over RFS who, at the time, seemed all too overwhelmed with their UEFA Conference League group stages debut to put up a real fight for the Cup.
In some ways, little has changed over the intermittent year when Riga FC won the Cup following a penalty shoot-out, also with RFS – RFS and Auda meet in the final while RFS are competing in the main stages of a major European club competition; the primary difference being that this time they are one step higher, in the UEFA Europa League.
In other ways, everything is different. Auda are coming into the Cup draw a formidable team, having enjoyed an excellent Conference League campaign earlier in the year that exceeded all expectations. Having started the season sluggishly, arrival of the Slovenian ex-Olimpija Ljubljana coach Zoran Zeljkovic saw Auda’s fortunes gradually reverse and the club made further history this year by not losing to Riga FC for the first time in their history. Perhaps more importantly, they won RFS right here, at LNK Sporta Parks where the final is set to take place, 2-1 just two weeks prior.
For RFS, on the other hand, playing in three different competitions so late in the year is taking a toll on injury-ridden squad. In response, Viktors Morozs had to take drastic measures and shocked Latvian football observers by fielding what has commonly been described as B/C team in the semi-finals against Riga FC. Despite a number of those players having yet to make an appearance for the first team, unexpectedly, they emerged victorious.
For the Latvian Cup final, Auda came out in full force, while RFS repeated their semi-final antics and fielded a largely reserve squad.
The match started off with RFS being put on the back foot, suffering one Auda’s quick transition after another. 18 minutes in and Auda already scored three times, one of which was disallowed, and sent the ball bouncing off the bottom of the crossbar in what looked like a possible goal as well. RFS found themselves well and truly under siege but refused to capitulate the game, finally creating their first chance in front of Zviedris’s goal 36 minutes into the first half. The more minutes passed, the more RFS took control of the pace of the game and the noose began to tighten around Auda. Quick transitions were still an issue for the high and immobile defensive line of Morozs’s team, but their experience paid off and they managed to keep Auda’s quick wingers at bay.
RFS took one back just before the half-time whistle, in the 47th minute, as centre-back Daniels Balodis found himself in the right back position, picked up a deflected ball, and found his fellow centre-back Mārcis Ošs with a low cross into the penalty box. Experienced Latvian international made no mistake and sent the ball into the bottom right corner from around the penalty mark spot.
Second half picked up where the first left off with RFS continuing to build pressure and momentum and Auda continuing to rely on fast transitions and counter-attacks. Savič had a great chance after 1-v-1 with Zviedris, but his shot sailed well wide of the goal. The nominal (and actual) home team did equalise in the 84th minute following a long-range indirect free kick into the penalty area, which connected with Daniels Balodis, who sent an arching ball over the keeper into the far corner of the goal, forcing the extra time.
Once in extra time, it did not take long for RFS to take the lead against a clearly shaken Auda. Substitute Rostand Ndjiki headed the ball in from a corner in the 109th minute. Another late substitute, Stefan Panić, put the final nail in Auda’s Latvian Cup coffin 15 minutes later, making the final score 4-2.
A tremendous comeback by a seemingly invincible RFS saw them lift their third-ever Latvian Cup, and second in the past 4 years despite having played every single final during that period. The jubilation of Riverside Lions will, no doubt, be met by the bitter disappointment of Auda fans and players, who looked like they were a side worthy of a 2021 Cup final repeat, only to succumb to RFS’s pressure and unbeatable confidence.
Latvian Cup has been contested since 1936 and, in this time, was claimed by 39 different clubs, including 13 different clubs since the restoration of independence.
