Latvian Cup: Nākotnes Līga leaders battle into next round

The fourth round of the Latvian Cup kicked off today with two fiercely contested matches featuring teams from the country’s second-tier league, the Nākotnes Līga. JDFS Alberts and JFK Ventspils both emerged victorious, but neither win came easy, with late goals and extra-time action marking a thrilling start to the round.

Alberts Prevails in All-Nākotnes Liga Showdown

JDFS Alberts, the current leaders of the Nākotnes Līga, needed extra time to overcome fellow second-division side Skanstes SK in a dramatic battle at Hanzas Vidusskolas Stadium. The hosts took the lead in the 26th minute through 16-year-old rising star Leonards Livčāns, giving Skanste a 1–0 advantage that held until late in regular time.

It was only in the 74th minute that Alberts found the equalizer, with 17-year-old Latvia U-19 international Markuss Spāde calmly converting from the penalty spot to make it 1–1.

That sent the match into extra time—and it took just one minute for Alberts to strike. Spāde turned provider, threading a pass to 16-year-old Ralfs Blūms, who slotted home to put Alberts in front. A chance to widen the gap came soon after, but experienced striker Deniss Stradiņš, formerly of Virslīga sides FK Metta and Spartaks Jūrmala, failed to convert a second penalty.

Despite that miss, the 2–1 score held, and JDFS Alberts—quarterfinalists just two years ago—march on to the next round.

Ventspils Edge Past Spirited Underdogs

In the day’s second fixture, Nākotnes Līga high-flyers JFK Ventspils faced a tricky away tie in Riga against FK Union/JFK Daugava, a team from a lower division but one that had already shown their giant-killing ability by thrashing Rezekne 4–0 in the previous round.

Union proved stubborn again, frustrating the visitors until the 75th minute, when Artemijs Mihails Lučins finally broke the deadlock with a crisp finish. However, just two minutes later, the lead vanished as Ventspils’ own Pierre Hounlete accidentally turned the ball into his own net, levelling the match at 1–1.

But Hounlete redeemed himself almost immediately. In the 80th minute, the midfielder struck at the right end to restore Ventspils’ advantage. The match was sealed in stoppage time when attacking midfielder Yousouf Rodo added a third, securing a hard-fought 3–1 victory and Ventspils’ place in the next round.

More Cup Action Coming

The fourth round of the Latvian Cup continues tomorrow with three more matches, before wrapping up on Sunday with the headline clash between Riga Mariners and Valmiera FC.