FCI Levadia Tallinn booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Estonian Cup on Wednesday evening, defeating Paide Linnameeskond 4-1 at Lilleküla Stadium despite fielding a heavily rotated starting line-up. Georgian striker Nikoloz Kutateladze scored twice as the reigning champions eventually pulled away after an evenly contested opening hour.
With one eye on their Premium Liiga title challenge, head coach Vjatšelav Zahovaiko made wholesale changes to the side that defeated Narva Trans 4-0 in the league last Friday. Only Rasmus Peetson and Tanel Tammik retained their places in the starting XI. Paide, meanwhile, made just three changes from Sunday’s 4-1 league victory over Nõmme United.
The opening stages were relatively quiet. Levadia controlled possession, with Maksimilian Skvortsov sending an early free-kick just over the crossbar, while at the other end Daniel Cabral’s set-piece was comfortably gathered by Oliver Ani.
The breakthrough arrived in the 49th minute in spectacularly unfortunate fashion for Paide goalkeeper Ebrima Jarju. Under no pressure, the Gambian international attempted to play out from the back but passed the ball straight to Kutateladze, who accepted the gift and rolled the ball into the empty net to hand Levadia a 1-0 lead.
Paide responded impressively and were level within 18 minutes. Edgar Tur beat his marker on the right flank before delivering an inviting cross into the six-yard box, where Abdourahman Badamosi, the striker who is linked with a move to Rakow, powered a header into the roof of the net to make it 1-1.
The equaliser briefly shifted momentum towards the visitors, who almost completed the turnaround moments later. Daniel Cabral sent Badamosi through one-on-one with Ani, but the Levadia goalkeeper reacted brilliantly to deny the Gambian striker. Paide continued to threaten from set-pieces, but they were unable to create another clear-cut opportunity.
Instead, Levadia regained control midway through the second half. In the 54th minute, Kaua Davi drove a low cross into the penalty area and Kutateladze arrived unmarked to finish first time into the far corner for his second goal of the evening.
The goal knocked the wind out of Paide, and Levadia quickly put the tie beyond doubt. Just over ten minutes later, Skvortsov’s perfectly weighted through ball released Robert Kirss, who showed excellent composure by lifting the ball delicately over the advancing Jarju to extend the lead to 3-1.
Three minutes later the hosts added a fourth. Otoo delivered a dangerous free-kick from a narrow angle into the six-yard box, where the ball was turned into the net at the near post, with Kirss appearing to get the decisive touch.
Levadia remained in complete control for the remainder of the match and looked more likely to score a fifth than concede another. Substitute Gregor Lehtmets even had a chance to add to the scoreline after breaking through one-on-one, but Jarju denied him from a tight angle.
The 4-1 victory sends Levadia comfortably into the Estonian Cup quarter-finals, while Paide’s hopes of lifting the trophy – and potentially securing a European place through the competition – come to an end. Levadia will now turn their attention back to the Premium Liiga title race, with a top-of-the-table clash away against Nõmme Kalju on Sunday, while Paide will look to regroup when they travel to face struggling Flora.
FCI Levadia vs Paide Linnameeskond – 4-1 (1-1)
Goals: Kutateladze 4′ 53′, Kirss 65′ 71′ | Badamosi 22′
