Latvia’s national futsal team kicked off its friendly tournament campaign in Indonesia with an impressive 3-2 victory over the Netherlands on Thursday.
The match began with Latvia trailing by a goal, but the team showed character and resilience to turn the game around. Riga Futsal Club’s Viktors Kuļepovs was the standout performer, scoring twice. His first goal came after a clever combination between Miks Babris and Andrejs Baklanovs, while his second was a moment of individual brilliance – a deft chip over the Dutch goalkeeper.
Although the Netherlands managed to equalize again, Kuļepovs narrowly missed out on a hat-trick after failing to convert from the penalty spot. Latvia’s winning goal came late in the match, when Andžejs Mickēvičs, also from Riga Futsal Club, struck decisively following a precise assist from Edgars Tarakanovs.
Latvia’s tournament schedule continues with a clash against Tanzania on Saturday, followed by a showdown with hosts Indonesia on Sunday.
The global futsal rankings highlight the challenge: Indonesia currently sits in 23rd place, the Netherlands are ranked 28th, Latvia hold 60th place, while Tanzania are further down the list at 138th.
Head coach Massimiliano Bellarte has assembled a diverse squad, blending talent from four Latvian clubs with players competing in Belgium, Poland, Italy, and Portugal.
This tournament forms a key part of Latvia’s preparations for the UEFA Futsal Championship, set to take place in Riga, Kaunas, and Ljubljana from January 20 to February 7.
Latvia Futsal National Team – Candidate List
- Rainers Mūrnieks – Goalkeeper – Riga Futsal Club
- Artjoms Križanovskis – Goalkeeper – FC Nikers
- Igors Labuts – Goalkeeper – Riga Futsal Club
- Edgars Tarakanovs – Field player – RSC Anderlecht Futsal (Belgium)
- Artjoms Troickis – Field player – Jagiellonia Białystok Futsal (Poland)
- Andrejs Baklanovs – Field player – CDM Futsal Genova (Italy)
- Miks Babris – Field player – Futsal Senior FC Famalicao (Portugal)
- Ņikita Jelagovs – Field player – TFK Beitar
- Andžejs Mickēvičs – Field player – Riga Futsal Club
- Viktors Kuļepovs – Field player – Riga Futsal Club
- Daniils Fogels – Field player – Riga Futsal Club
- Sergejs Motiļs – Field player – TFK Beitar
- Maksims Potlovs – Field player – Daugavpils Futbola Skola
- Emīls Atamaņukovs – Field player – ITAR Futsal (Italy)
- Germans Matjušenko – Field player – TFK Beitar
Source: https://lff.lv/zinas/18506/skaistiem-vartu-guvumiem-bagata-uzvara-pret-specigo-niderlandi/
