Defending Cup holders Auda booked their places in the Latvian Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, with a single second-half goal settling the tie between Auda and Liepāja at Skonto stadium.
Liepāja travelled to Riga short of several key figures, with Oloko Ede, Leonel Strumia and captain Marvin Martins among those missing and Vassiljev making wholesale changes after Liepāja’s European match in midweek, rotating heavily and changing 10 players in the starting XI. Auda, by contrast, were close to full strength and both sides had early sights of goal, although the first half ended in a goalless draw.
The breakthrough arrived 12 minutes after the break when Kader Kone found the net for Auda after a set piece. The striker came close to doubling the lead soon after, only for the ball to stop short of the line, while Liepāja later appealed for a penalty in the closing stages but the referee waved play on.
Liepāja return to UEFA Conference League action on Wednesday, 15th of July, away to Montenegro’s Dečić in the first qualifying round second leg. Liepāja lead 1-0 from the home match despite playing with 10 men from the middle of the first half.
In the Virslīga, Liepāja face Auda again on 19th of July, with the hosts third in the table and Liepāja fourth, 12 points behind.
