Daugavpils strike on the counter to earn first win of the season

In the fourth round of the Tonybet Virslīga, BFC Daugavpils secured their first win of the season with an impressive 2-0 home victory over FK Liepāja, punishing their opponents with clinical counter-attacking football.

The hosts made a bright start, and it was a debut to remember for Rostand Ndjiki. The forward, on loan from RFS, opened the scoring in just the sixth minute in his first appearance for the Latgale club. Picking up the ball inside the penalty area, Ndjiki beat defender Kirils Iļjins and got past midfielder Rodolphe Ekou before creating space for himself and calmly finishing into the far corner to give Daugavpils an early lead.

Liepāja responded and nearly equalised midway through the first half when Dutch centre-back Bart Straalman struck the post following a set-piece situation. At the other end, Ndjiki came close to doubling the advantage, but the score remained 1-0 at the break.

The second half saw Liepāja take control of possession and push forward in search of an equaliser. They created several dangerous moments, including one where it appeared that Ilja Korotkovs’ header may have crossed the line. However, a Daugavpils defender cleared the ball – whether fully over the line or not remained unclear – and the hosts immediately launched a decisive counterattack.

Ndjiki once again played a key role, setting up Artem Garzha, who finished confidently to score his second goal of the season and double Daugavpils’ lead – punishing Liepāja for their missed opportunities.

Head coach Andreas Alm attempted to shift momentum by making attacking substitutions, and while Liepāja continued to create chances, they were unable to convert. Ekou came closest after a free-kick situation, reacting quickest to a loose ball after initial save by the goalkeeper but failed to beat Jānis Beks from close range.

Despite dominating possession and building attacks through short passing combinations, Liepāja found no way past a disciplined Daugavpils defence. The hosts remained dangerous on the counter throughout and managed the game effectively to secure all three points.

The victory marks Daugavpils’ first win of the season, ending a run of three consecutive defeats. Meanwhile, Liepāja suffered their second loss of the campaign and now sit in mid-table alongside several teams on six points.

BFC Daugavpils vs FK Liepāja – 2-0 (1-0)
Goals: Ndjiki 6′, Garzha 53′

Round 33

17/10

Grobiņa

3–2

Ogre United

18/10

FK Liepāja

3–0

FS Jelgava

18/10

Riga FC

2–1

Super Nova

19/10

Daugavpils

2–1

FK Auda

19/10

FC RFS

2–0

Tukums 2000

#	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	RFS	33	26	5	2	81	24	57	83
2	Riga FC	33	24	7	2	90	31	59	79
3	FK Auda	33	19	7	7	53	34	19	64
4	FK Liepāja	33	13	7	13	46	46	0	46
5	BFC Daugavpils	33	12	9	12	39	37	2	45
6	Super Nova	33	11	5	17	32	47	-15	38
7	FS Jelgava	33	8	8	17	34	56	-22	32
8	Grobiņa	33	6	11	16	25	56	-31	29
9	FK Tukums 2000	33	5	9	19	44	65	-21	24
10	Ogre United	33	4	6	23	33	81	-48	18