The Latvian Women’s National Team will continue their Nations League C campaign today with an away match against the North Macedonian WNT. The game will start at 16:00 Baltic time.
In her debut as manager, Liene Vāciete led the Latvian WNT to a surprising 1-0 victory over the Kosovo women’s national team. Viktorija Zaičikova’s game-winning goal in the 51st minute marked a strong start to the Nations League C campaign.
Today’s opponents, North Macedonia, are familiar to the Latvian players, as the two teams have faced each other four times in the last three and a half years. Apart from their first encounter, where Latvia lost 1-4, the matches have been closely contested, with North Macedonia winning three out of the four games. However, Latvia claimed victory in their most recent head-to-head matchup, winning 2-1, with Olga Ševcova scoring the decisive goal in the fifth additional minute of the second half.
North Macedonia began their UEFA Nations League campaign with a defeat, losing 0-4 at home to Kosovo.
Manager Liene Vāciete has made several changes to the squad for this international window compared to the February window. Goalkeeper Alīna Skļemenova could not join the national team due to an injury, prompting the call-up of 16-year-old Aleksandra Torgošova from FK Olaine. Additionally, Anna Marija Valaka and Sofija Garanča, both with over 20 caps for the national team, were not included in the squad. Diāna Suvitra and Sofija Gergeležiu have returned, and Laura Sondore has received her first call-up since 2022.
Several players who participate in foreign leagues have achieved notable milestones since the last international break. Goalkeeper Sofja Ņesterova made her debut in the Frauen Bundesliga for Werder Bremen. Meanwhile, Santas Sanija Vuškāne and Karlīna Miksones are excelling in the Polish Ekstraliga, with their respective clubs sitting in first and second place. Karlīna is currently tied for second place in the top goal scorers list with ten goals. In the Czech Republic, 20-year-old Anastasija Poļuhoviča made her debut in the Czech top-flight for AC Sparta Prague in a recent draw against rivals Slavia Prague.
The biggest threat to North Macedonia is Gentjana Rochi, the national team’s all-time top goalscorer. The 30-year-old striker currently plays professional football in Finland for KuPS and has scored 22 goals for the national team, three of which have been against Latvia.
The match will take place at Skopje’s FFM Training Center and is set to kick off at 16:00.
Latvia WNT squad for the upcoming games:
Goalkeepers
Sofja Ņesterova (23) – Werder Bremen (GER)
Elza Renāte Strazdiņa (18) – Riga FC Women
Aleksandra Torgošova (16) – FK Olaine
Defenders
Laura Sondore (25) – Riga FC Women
Anna Hropataja (19) – RFS Women
Anastasija Ročāne (32) – Asteras Tripolis (GRE)
Sandra Voitāne (25) – IBV Vestmannaeyja (ICE)
Amēlija Lipšāne (20) – FS Metta
Sofija Gergeležiu (21) – RFS Women
Midfielders
Anastasija Čermitāne (25) – RFS Women
Karlīna Miksone (25) – Czarni Sosnowiec (POL)
Fanija Mežecka (22) – FS Metta
Diāna Suvitra (23) – RFS Women
Marina Teļukeviča (19) – RFS Women
Anastasija Poļuhoviča (20) – AC Sparta Prague (CZE)
Paula Linda Liniņa (23) – FS Metta
Viktorija Zaičikova (24) – IBV Vestmannaeyja (ICE)
Anna Kristīne Gornela (27) – Riga FC Women
Gabriela Annija Andersone (16) – U.S. Sassuolo Calcio U19 (ITA)
Forwards
Santa Sanija Vuškāne (19) – GKS Katowice (POL)
Katrīna Daņilova (20) – Aris Limassol (CYP)
Signija Šenberga (22) – FS Metta
Olga Ševcova (32) – IBV Vestmannaeyja (ICE)