The first pre-season game took place today in Latvia at the Rimi Olimpiskais Centrs. The defending champions, FC RFS, dominated the newly promoted Virslīga side SK Super Nova, scoring a total of seven goals. Jānis Ikaunieks shone as the standout player, netting four goals in the first half.
FC RFS, which will host Ajax Amsterdam in two weeks at Daugava Stadium for a UEFA Europa League match, began its 2025 friendly campaign with the game against SK Super Nova. Manager Viktors Morozs fielded his strongest lineup, while SK Super Nova’s manager, Ervīns Pērkons, utilized this opportunity to evaluate trial players and academy talents against the formidable Latvian side.
The first half was heavily in favor of RFS. Ikaunieks achieved a remarkable 20-minute hat-trick, and shortly after, Roberts Savaļnieks scored a spectacular goal from the center line. By the end of the first half, Ikaunieks had completed his four-goal performance.
In the second half, numerous substitutions were made as reserves took the field for both teams. Super Nova performed much better during this period. Following the match, Ervīns Pērkons told the Super Nova communication team that he was pleased with the team’s improvement; they created opportunities and even hit the woodwork.
Despite Super Nova’s better performance in the second half, they conceded two more goals, with Mamadou Sylla and new signing Mor Talla Gaye each finding the back of the net.
Pērkons refrained from criticizing his team after the match, acknowledging that although the final score was not ideal, he had mentioned before the game that the outcome was not his primary concern. He appreciated that RFS fielded their strongest lineup in the first half against a mix of Super Nova’s academy players.
After the match, Baltic Football News reached out to FC RFS leader Jānis Ikaunieks for his thoughts on the friendly and the upcoming games against Ajax and Dynamo Kyiv. He remarked that it was a great friendly match where they enjoyed scoring and working together. While he acknowledged that there is still preparation needed, he feels confident that they will be optimally ready for the European League matches.
FC RFS’s next friendly match will be on Wednesday when they host the Estonian side Nõmme Kalju FC at the Rimi Olimpiskais Centrs.
FC RFS – SK Super Nova 7:0 (5:0)
Goals: J.Ikaunieks 15′, 24′, 34′, 42′, Savaļnieks 38′, Sylla 61′, Talla 68′.
FC RFS: Ondoa (GK), Zeļenkovs, Lipušček, Prenga, Savaļnieks, Panič, Markhiev, Odisharia, Ikaunieks, Mor Talla, Koaudio
SK Super Nova: Polis (GK), Kramēns, Avaliani, Rekmanis, Kļaviņš, Birkše-Kloks, Oliinyk, Skadmanis, Penka, Artjomovs, Silagailis