FK Liepāja produced one of their grittiest European performances in recent years, playing for almost 70 minutes with ten men before defeating Montenegrin side FK Dečic 1-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League first qualifying round tie.
Joseph Ede Oloko’s second-half strike proved enough to hand the Latvian club a narrow advantage ahead of next week’s return leg in Montenegro, while also ending Liepāja’s three-year wait for a European victory.
The home side’s task became significantly more difficult after just 21 minutes. Captain Marvin Martins was shown a straight red card after catching an opponent with a high boot just outside the penalty area, forcing Liepāja to play the remainder of the match with a numerical disadvantage.
Before the dismissal, Liepāja had looked the more dangerous side. Oloko and Kyvon Leidsman both saw promising efforts blocked inside the penalty area, but Martins’ sending-off dramatically changed the complexion of the contest.
With an extra man, Dečić naturally enjoyed more possession for much of the evening, while Liepāja were forced into long spells of disciplined defending. Despite the pressure, the visitors struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against a well-organised Latvian back line.
Instead, it was Liepāja who found the decisive breakthrough midway through the second half.
Just moments after Amar Haidara had been denied in a one-on-one situation by the Dečic goalkeeper, the hosts struck from the resulting phase of play. Haidara won possession and immediately launched a swift counterattack before releasing Joseph Ede Oloko through on goal. The Virslīga’s leading scorer kept his composure, calmly slotting his finish beyond the advancing goalkeeper to make it 1-0 in the 64th minute.
The goal capped another impressive display from Oloko, who once again demonstrated the clinical finishing that has made him one of the most prolific forwards in Latvian football this season.
Liepāja successfully protected their slender advantage during the closing stages despite continued pressure from the Montenegrin visitors, securing an important first-leg victory and their first success in European competition since the summer of 2022.
The return leg will take place in Montenegro on 15 July, where Liepāja will look to finish the job and reach the second qualifying round. Awaiting the winner is Austrian Bundesliga side Austria Wien.
FK Liepāja vs FK Dečic – 1-0 (0-0)
Goal: Oloko 64′
