Ogre United reached the Latvian Cup quarter-finals for the first time as they overturned Valmiera in extra time, winning 4-2 after a late equaliser forced the tie beyond 90 minutes.
Valmiera, who named only 14 players for the match, were dealt an early setback when teenager Rojs Bušs came off injured already in the fourth minute. Despite early pressure around Ogre goalkeeper Kristers Biščuhis, it was the visitors who struck first when Vadim Maščenko met Markuss Ivulāns’ delivery from close range.
Valmiera levelled from the penalty spot soon after, though it took two attempts. Biščuhis brought down Alekss Tkačenko and then partially redeemed himself by saving Fraj Kairmani’s spot-kick, only for the Tunisian to react quickest to the rebound and score.
Ogre dominated much of the second half, firing in wave after wave of attacks and hitting the crossbar twice, but Valmiera snatched the lead against the run of play. Substitute Vladimirs Stepanovs, who helped Ogre win promotion to the Virslīga last season, struck from distance to make it 2-1.
The momentum swung decisively in stoppage time when Tkačenko was sent off for striking Roberts Adītājs and earning a straight red. Ogre’s pressure finally told at the death as a high ball was turned into Valmiera’s own net by Ernests Kalniņš, sending the match to extra time.
In the added time, Markuss Kalniņš broke clear on the counter to put Ogre 3-2 up, latching on to Kristers Čudars’ pass. Former Riteriai man Leif Estevez Fernandez then made amends for an earlier one-on-one chance saved by 17-year-old Haralds Kalniņš, guiding Artem Marčuks’ assist into the far corner with a first-time finish to seal the 4-2 win.
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Source: https://sportacentrs.com/futbols/citi_latvijas_turniri/12072026-kalnins_patrauce_kalninam_cits_kalnins_ie
