The Virslīga top-scorer battle lived up to expectations in Liepāja on Monday as Joseph Ede Oloko scored twice and Mohamed Badamosi added one of his own, but it was FK Liepāja who provided the surprise of Matchday 28, defeating title-chasing Riga FC 3-2 in new head coach Curro Torres’ first game in charge.
Torres, appointed just three days after the dismissal of Vladimir Vassiljev, handed a debut to Brazilian newcomer Crysthyan, while Oloko returned to the starting lineup after serving a one-match suspension. Riga, meanwhile, made several changes following their midweek European success against Klaksvik. Adrian Gul’a kept just three players from that starting XI – Paulo Eduardo, Andres Salazar and Karl Wassom.
The new Liepāja era couldn’t have started better. Just four minutes into the match, Oloko was sent through one-on-one with the goalkeeper and made no mistake, calmly finishing to register his 22nd league goal of the season in his 24th appearance.
Riga responded in the 17th minute, with a large dose of fortune. Antonijs Černomordijs headed the ball strongly while attempting to win possession in midfield, and after Liepāja failed to make the necessary interceptions, it fell perfectly for Mohamed Badamosi, who found himself alone in front of goal. The assistant referee initially raised the flag for offside, but after a lengthy VAR review the decision was overturned. Badamosi’s goal stood, bringing the Gambian to 19 league goals and restoring parity.
Liepāja, however, needed just a few more minutes to regain the lead. Riga goalkeeper Krišjānis Zviedris, making his first appearance in more than two weeks after featuring in the cup against Metta, rushed out and brought down Oloko inside the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot, and the Nigerian striker stepped up himself to send the goalkeeper the wrong way, 2-1 – and Oloko had his second of the night.
Riga entered the game unbeaten in the league since the opening matchday, when they had also lost to Liepāja, 1-2, at Daugava reserve stadium. With RFS sitting four points clear at the top before kick-off, Gul’a’s side could ill afford another slip.
They came out aggressively after the break, with Badamosi heading narrowly wide within seconds of the restart. But it was Liepāja who struck again.
Once more, Oloko was at the centre of everything. The Nigerian striker exploded down the left, leaving Maksims Toņiševs in his wake before entering the penalty area and firing a dangerous ball across the face of goal. There, another Nigerian was waiting, as Abioudun Ogunniyi met the delivery and converted, completing a devastating Nigerian combination and putting Liepāja 3-1 ahead.
Riga now had to chase the game. They enjoyed more possession and pushed numbers forward, but struggled to turn their territorial advantage into clear chances. Their best opportunity came from a corner when Černomordijs’ header struck the post.
Liepāja looked set to hold on comfortably, but Riga found a lifeline deep into stoppage time. A long ball eventually reached substitute Abdulrahman Taiwo, who finished to make it 2-3. The visitors even had one final opportunity to complete an extraordinary comeback, but Salah-Oulad’s free-kick from the resulting set-piece sailed over the goal.
Liepāja had done it – 3-2, and a dream start to the Curro Torres era. The result leaves Riga FC four points behind leaders RFS with eight league matches remaining, while Liepāja strengthened their grip on fourth place, opening a three-point gap over BFC Daugavpils.
Torres’ next challenge could hardly be more difficult. His revitalised Liepāja side will travel to face RFS next Monday, while Riga will host BFC Daugavpils on the same evening.
Before then, however, Riga face another huge occasion: the Rīga derby against RFS in the Latvian Cup semi-final on September 3.
FK Liepāja vs Riga FC – 3-2 (2-1)
Goals: Oloko 4′, 27′ (Penalty kick), Ogunniyi 58′ | Badamosi 17′, Taiwo 90+3′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  RFS |
27 | 22 | 3 | 2 | 68 | 20 | 48 | 69 |
| 2 |  Riga FC |
27 | 20 | 5 | 2 | 81 | 27 | 54 | 65 |
| 3 |  FK Auda |
27 | 16 | 5 | 6 | 44 | 27 | 17 | 53 |
| 4 |  FK Liepāja |
28 | 12 | 4 | 12 | 39 | 41 | -2 | 40 |
| 5 |  BFC Daugavpils |
28 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 33 | 32 | 1 | 37 |
| 6 |  FS Jelgava |
28 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 32 | 47 | -15 | 31 |
| 7 |  Super Nova |
26 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 27 | 38 | -11 | 29 |
| 8 |  Grobiņa |
28 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 20 | 50 | -30 | 24 |
| 9 |  FK Tukums 2000 |
28 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 41 | 58 | -17 | 20 |
| 10 |  Ogre United |
27 | 3 | 5 | 19 | 26 | 71 | -45 | 14 |
