---
title: "Ļašenko says third place remains Nations League target following poor start"
date: 2026-10-08T18:52:52Z
lang: en
author: "Ivo"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/lasenko-says-third-place-remains-nations-league-target-following-poor-start/
categories: ["Latvia"]
---

# Ļašenko says third place remains Nations League target following poor start
**Latvia Football Federation president Vadims Ļašenko says the national team must show progress in its final two Nations League matches after taking only one point from their opening four games.**

“_None of us can be satisfied with one point from four matches. Our ambitions before the tournament were much higher_,” Ļašenko told Latvijas Radio. Latvia have scored twice in the campaign, and he said they needed to be more clinical in front of goal to beat opponents at this level.

The federation will review the team’s performances before deciding whether any changes are needed. Ļašenko said he had already spoken to the coach and that decisions would not be made in the heat of the moment. Latvia had set three levels of targets for the campaign: finish first, secure second place and a play-off, or avoid finishing bottom. Third place remains within their reach, he said.

Ļašenko also said he planned to speak with Everton U-21 goalkeeper Douglass Lukjanciks, who has represented England at youth level and is eligible for Latvia. The federation remains in contact with Cebrail Makreckis, now at Qarabağ, although he still has not expressed any desire to return to the Latvia national team, which he represented at youth levels only. Following up on the comments made by Nicolato, Ļašenko did not rule out sporting naturalisation but said there was currently no suitable candidate in the Virslīga.

Source: [sportacentrs.com](https://sportacentrs.com/futbols/latvijas_izlase/08102026-divi_gar_degunu_viens_vel_palicis_lasenko)