Auda survive Grobiņa scare to seal narrow away win

In the TonyBet Virslīga Matchday 18 match FK Auda secured a 2-1 away win over FK Grobiņa in a tense and physically demanding encounter.

The match began with an early shock for the home side. After a well-placed cross, Renārs Varslavāns found himself in a promising position and blasted the ball into the top corner, giving Auda an early lead with a spectacular strike.

Grobiņa, however, didn’t take long to respond. Following their first corner of the match, a scramble in the penalty area saw Gļebs Kļuškins react quickest, slotting the ball into the net from close range to bring the game level.

In the 18th minute, Auda’s goalkeeper Roberts Ozols nearly gifted the hosts a goal. With no pressure around him, Ozols attempted a routine pass that struck the back of opposition forward Devids Dobrecovs. Fortunately for Auda, the Grobiņa player couldn’t capitalize on the unexpected opportunity.

As the first half progressed, Grobiņa began to dominate possession, earning several corners that led to dangerous moments in front of Auda’s goal. Nevertheless, the visitors held firm, and the teams went into halftime with the score tied at 1-1.

The second half featured a more physical style of play, though clear-cut chances were fewer. The decisive goal came in the 70th minute when Emīls Birka delivered a pinpoint cross from the left side of the penalty area. Kader Koné in his third ever game for Auda with a diving header headed ball past the keeper, putting visitors ahead 2-1.

Just minutes later, Birka and Koné connected once again in a near-identical fashion, but this time Grobiņa’s goalkeeper Ņikita Pinčuks made a crucial save to keep his team in the match.

With ten minutes remaining, Auda suffered a setback as Renārs Varslavāns was forced off with an injury, prompting head coach Jurgis Kalns to make an unplanned substitution.

As the match neared its conclusion, Grobiņa came close to equalizing. Dobrecovs fired a curling long-range effort that looked destined for the top corner, but Ozols produced a stunning save to preserve Auda’s lead. The home side was unable to mount another serious threat, and Auda held on to celebrate their ninth victory of the season.

FK Grobiņa vs FK Auda – 1:2 (1:1)
Goals: Kļuškins 14’ | Varslavāns 3’, K.Kone 70’
GRO: Pinčuks, Družiņins, Tchamba, Džeriņš (Gaučis 79’), Raščevskis, Krautmanis, Sidorovs, Bekili (Kalmarzy 75’), Dobrecovs, Kļuškins (Fjodorovs 46’), Sdaigui
AUD: Ozols, Hrvoj, Wassom (Diawara 46’), Meļņiks, Birka, Kragļiks, Rubenis (Traore 46’), Ogunniyi (I.Kone 75’), Varslavāns (Kane 82’), Nguena, Stevenson (K.Kone 63’)

Virslīga Matchday 18 games:

• 17.06.2025 – FK Metta vs BFC Daugavpils – 2:2
• 17.06.2025 – FK Tukums 2000 vs FS Jelgava – 1:1
• 17.06.2025 – SK Super Nova vs FK Liepāja – 1:3
• 18.06.2025 – FK Grobiņa vs FK Auda – 1:2
• 18.06.2025 – Riga FC vs FC RFS – 3:1