Reingolcs scores his first in Virslīga as Tukums snap six-game winless streak

The opening match of the 19th round of the Latvian Higher League saw FK Tukums 2000 secure a much-needed 2-1 victory over BFC Daugavpils, finally putting an end to a six-match winless run. The win also lifts Tukums off the bottom of the league table.

Heading into the game, Tukums sat in 10th place with just 12 points from 18 matches, trailing FK Metta by a single point. Meanwhile, Daugavpils, after a bright start to the season, had been struggling since late April—managing just one win in their previous nine outings and collecting only seven of a possible 27 points.

In the previous round, Daugavpils squandered a lead in a 2-2 draw against FK Metta, while Tukums salvaged a point at home against FS Jelgava, thanks to a late equalizer from Ingars Pūlis.

Earlier this season, Daugavpils had dominated this matchup—winning 3-0 at home and drawing 0-0 away. The early stages of this game suggested another low-scoring affair, with few chances created in the opening 25 minutes. The first real moment of danger came when a Tukums player Helvijs Joksts broke into the box down the left, firing from a tight angle. His shot struck the post, rebounded off goalkeeper Jānis Beks, and narrowly rolled out of play.

Daugavpils, surprisingly leaving top scorer Barthelemy Diedhiou on the bench, struggled to create offensively. Things nearly got worse in the 31st minute when Gļebs Mihaļcovs went in recklessly on Tukums’ Artem Kholod. The referee initially showed a straight red card, but after a VAR review, the decision was downgraded to a yellow—much to the relief of the home side.

That reprieve was short-lived. Just minutes later, Tukums capitalized on a corner. Kaspars Anmanis delivered it into the box, and Rūdolfs Reingolcs — a product of the Tukums academy — brought it down on his chest and rifled home a half-volley to give the visitors a 1–0 lead. It was his first goal in the Virslīga, coming in his 103rd appearance.

On the brink of halftime, Daugavpils were dealt another blow. A dangerous cross from Bogdans Samoilovs caused chaos in the box, with keeper Beks bringing down a Tukums forward. A penalty was awarded, and up stepped leading scorer Ingars Pūlis. The Latvian striker powered his effort into the top corner for his ninth goal of the season, doubling Tukums’ lead at the break.

Looking to change the course of the match, Daugavpils head coach Kurbatovs made four substitutions at the start of the second half, including bringing on Diedhiou. The hosts came out with renewed energy, mounting attack after attack. However, Tukums’ defense stood firm, and when they were breached, goalkeeper Raivo Stūriņš came up big with key saves.

Tukums, meanwhile, stayed patient and looked for opportunities on the counter. One such chance came from another brilliant through ball by captain Samoilovs, putting Dans Sirbu in a dangerous position. Sirbu’s shot rattled the crossbar, inches away from sealing the match.

In added time, Stūriņš again came to Tukums’ rescue, denying Armans Galajs from point-blank range. But the clean sheet slipped away moments later when Raivis Skrebels headed in from a Kone set-piece, giving Daugavpils a glimmer of hope.

It wasn’t enough. Tukums held firm in the final seconds to claim all three points, handing Daugavpils their first home defeat this season against a team outside the top two.

BFC Daugavpils vs FK Tukums 2000 – 1:2 (0:2)
Goals: Skrebels 90+2′ | Reingolcs 40′ Pūlis 45+2′ (Penalty kick)
DAU: Beks, Mihaļcovs (Ivanovs 46′), Kudeļkins, Williams, Skrebels, Barkovskis (Diakite 46′), Taty, Lizunovs (Kone 46′), Fofana (Galajs 84′), Murakami (Diedhiou 46′), Diallo
TUK: Stūriņš, Joksts (Bekima 85′), Mihoubi, Reingolcs, Kholod, Volkovs, Ķiršs (Rogovs 57′), Anmanis, Samoilovs, Dusalijevs (Sirbu 75′), Pūlis

Virslīga Matchday 19 games:

• 21.06.2025 – BFC Daugavpils vs FK Tukums 2000 – 1:2
• 21.06.2025 – FK Liepāja vs FK Metta – 1:0
• 22.07.2025 – FS Jelgava vs FK Grobiņa – 16:00
• 22.07.2025 – Riga FC vs SK Super Nova – 18:00
• 22.07.2025 – FC RFS vs FK Auda – 20:00