Champions run riot in Jelgava as Siqueira hat-trick leads to club record win
Photo: Riga FC In the fourth round of the Tonybet Virslīga, Riga FC recorded the biggest away league win in club history, thrashing FS Jelgava 8-0 away from home. Brazilian attacking midfielder Iago Siqueira was the standout performer, scoring a hat-trick.
Heading into the match, expectations pointed toward a much tighter contest. Adrian Gul’a’s side had struggled in Jelgava last season, managing only a draw and a narrow comeback win. Combined with difficult weather conditions, this fixture appeared far from straightforward – at least on paper.
Instead, Riga took control from the opening minutes. Their early pressure paid off in the 11th minute, when Siqueira opened the scoring after a well-worked move, finishing from a pass by Colombian defender Andres Salazar, who was heavily involved throughout the match.
Riga doubled their lead midway through the first half in unusual fashion, as Tomas Rataj turned the ball into his own net following a corner. Despite continued dominance, the visitors could not extend their lead further before halftime – but there were already signs of what was to come.
The second half turned into a one-sided spectacle. In the 63rd minute, Raki Aouani scored his first official goal in European football to make it 3-0 and effectively put the game out of reach.
Things went from bad to worse for Jelgava shortly after, when Gļebs Žaleiko was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, leaving the hosts to cope with Riga’s attacking wave while down to ten men.
They could not withstand it. Riga completely overwhelmed Jelgava in the final 20 minutes, scoring five unanswered goals. Mohamad Badamosi netted twice, Siqueira completed his hat-trick, and another Brazilian newcomer, Juan Christian, marked his debut with a goal after recently joining from EC Juventude.
The emphatic victory lifts Riga into a three-way tie at the top of the table alongside RFS and FK Auda, all sitting on nine points after four matches. FK Grobiņa could join them if they secure a win against FK Tukums 2000.
FS Jelgava vs Riga FC – 0-8 (0-2)
Goals: Siqueira 11′ 71′ 88′, Rataj 23′ (Own goal), Aouani 63′, Juan Christian 79′, Badamosi 82′ 85′ (Penalty kick)
Round 33
Ogre United
FS Jelgava
Super Nova
FK Auda
Tukums 2000
# Team P
W D L
GF GA GD Pts
1
RFS33
26
5
2
81
24
57
83
2
Riga FC33
24
7
2
90
31
59
79
3
FK Auda33
19
7
7
53
34
19
64
4
FK Liepāja33
13
7
13
46
46
0
46
5
BFC Daugavpils33
12
9
12
39
37
2
45
6
Super Nova33
11
5
17
32
47
-15
38
7
FS Jelgava33
8
8
17
34
56
-22
32
8
Grobiņa33
6
11
16
25
56
-31
29
9
FK Tukums 200033
5
9
19
44
65
-21
24
10
Ogre United33
4
6
23
33
81
-48
18
