Levadia start Zahovaiko era with win against Kuressaare
Photo: FCI Levadia/Facebook FCI Levadia opened the Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko era with a 2-0 win over FC Kuressaare at Sportland Arena in the Premium Liiga opening round match.
Levadia controlled the early phases and went ahead in the 17th minute. Joseph Saliste’s delivery was met by Mihkel Ainsalu, whose header dropped towards the far post, where Bubacarr Tambedou made sure from close range.
Kuressaare’s best spell came through Taavi Jürisoo’s running on the break, with Karl Andre Vallner called into action after a deflection off Victory Iboro. At the other end, Kuressaare goalkeeper Karl-Romet Nõmm produced a string of saves to deny Tambedou and Moussa Sambe and keep the scoreline tight.
After the interval the game became more even, though Kuressaare could not fashion a clear opening despite earning several set-pieces. Levadia threatened through Maksimilian Skvortsov, Iboro and Enock Otoo, with Skvortsov closest when his header from a 70th-minute corner struck the post.
The decisive moment arrived in the 79th minute, four minutes after substitute Gregor Lehtmets entered the match. As Joonas Vahermägi tried to clear a bouncing ball in the area, Lehtmets reacted first and was caught heavily in the upper body, leaving with a bloodied face but winning a penalty that Skvortsov converted confidently for 2-0.
Kuressaare pushed in response, and Deivid Andreas hit the bar with a sharply angled late free-kick, but they were unable to create the chances required to change the outcome.
FCI Levadia vs FC Kuressaare – 2-0 (1-0)
Goals: Tambedou 17′ Skvortsov 82′ (Penalty kick)
# Team P
W D L
GF GA GD Pts
1
FCI Levadia32
25
6
1
87
22
65
81
2
FC Flora33
19
1
13
63
47
16
58
3
Paide32
17
6
9
52
39
13
57
4
Nõmme Kalju32
15
6
11
54
33
21
51
5
Tammeka32
15
2
15
42
51
-9
47
6
Harju33
15
2
16
48
48
0
47
7
Pärnu Vaprus32
10
6
16
43
63
-20
36
8
Kuressaare32
10
5
17
34
51
-17
35
9
Nõmme United32
10
1
21
50
74
-24
31
10
Narva Trans32
5
5
22
25
70
-45
20
Round 34
FC FloraNõmme UnitedTammekaKuressaareNõmme Kalju
