Metta ends 16-Game winless streak thanks to Ivulāns’ goal

In Matchday 22 of the TonyBet Latvian Virslīga, FK Metta finally broke their 16-game winless streak with a crucial 1-0 away victory over FK Grobiņa, courtesy of a goal from substitute Markuss Ivulāns.

Heading into the game, Viktor Dobrecovs’ FK Grobiņa were on the back of two consecutive defeats, including a 0-2 loss in the Liepāja derby against FK Liepāja. The coach made three changes to the starting eleven. Maksims Sidorovs returned after serving a one-match suspension, while summer signings Artjoms Puzirevskis and Pape Doudou made their first appearances in the club’s colors. For Puzirevskis, it was his debut, whereas Doudou had already played 17 games for Grobiņa last season while on loan from FK Liepāja.

Meanwhile, Metta head coach Andris Riherts made two changes following their painful defeat in Jūrmala against FK Tukums. Kevins Cēsnieks, who hadn’t played since May 6, returned to the lineup, and Rūdolfs Kļavinskis was also given a starting spot.

Earlier this season, Metta had defeated Grobiņa 4-2 in a high-scoring match away from home and played to a 1-1 draw in their second encounter at the Rīgas Hanzas Vidusskola Stadium.

The match started cautiously, with the first real chance coming in the 16th minute for FK Metta following a corner. Grobiņa goalkeeper Ņikita Pinčuks punched the ball clear, but it fell to Kristofers Reķis, who fired a first-time shot that narrowly missed the target.

It wasn’t until the 30th minute that the first shot on target arrived, when Lithuanian Rolandas Baravykas tried his luck from distance. However, his effort was comfortably saved by Metta goalkeeper Alvis Sorokins.

The first half ended goalless without any major threats, although it was notable that Grobiņa had yet to finish a game this season with a 0-0 result, suggesting goals might still come in the second half.

The second half mirrored the first in its slow tempo, with both sides struggling to create danger. The first real threat came in the 66th minute when Oļģerds Raščevskis broke down the right wing and unleashed a shot from a tight angle that went just over the crossbar.

But just four minutes later, Metta capitalized on one of their few chances, shortly after several substitutions. It was Daņils Činajevs who played a brilliant lofted pass over the Grobiņa defense to find substitute Markus Ivulāns in a one-on-one situation. The young talent calmly chipped the onrushing goalkeeper Pinčuks to score his fourth goal of the season—second against Grobiņa—and give Metta the lead.

After conceding, Grobiņa’s coach made several substitutions and pushed for an equalizer, eventually dominating possession. However, Metta held firm with a brave defensive effort and erupted in celebration at the final whistle, ending a winless run that stretched back to their April 4 victory over RFS.

With the win, FK Metta moves to within just one point of FK Tukums 2000, who currently sit just above the bottom of the table. Metta will face reigning champions FC RFS in their next league match in two weeks, while Grobiņa prepares for a critical clash against FK Tukums 2000 on July 21.

FK Grobiņa vs FK Metta – 0:1 (0:0)
Goals: Ivulāns 69′
GRO: Pinčuks, Bekili, Družiņins, Sidorovs, Raščevskis, Baravykas (Sdegui 73′), Doudou (Knapšis 78′), Džeriņš (Gaučis 73′), Morarenko (Grjaznovs 78′), Puzirevskis, Dobrecovs
MET: Sorokins, Lauan, Cēsnieks (S. Kamara 56′), Kangars, Vilnis, Scremin, Rēķis (Bangura 65′), M. Kamara, Čiņajevs, Kļavinskis (Ivulāns 65′), Saleh (Evelons 78′)

Virslīga Matchday 22:

• 04.07.2025 – FC RFS vs FK Liepāja – 2:1
• 05.07.2025 – FK Auda vs FS Jelgava – 2:0
• 06.07.2025 – FK Grobiņa vs FK Metta – 0:1
• 06.07.2025 – SK Super Nova vs FK Tukums 2000 – 18:00
• 06.07.2025 – Riga FC vs BFC Daugavpils – 19:00