RFS score two early goals and hold on to a win in the opening game of Virslīga 2025

In the opening game of the new season of Latvian Virslīga, defending champions FC RFS defeated FK Auda away from home with a score of 2-1. The goals for RFS were scored by Niks Sliede and Darko Lemajič, while Matheus Clemente was the lone goalscorer for FK Auda.

Jurģis Kalns fielded six new signings, including Renārs Varslavāns in midfield, Emīls Birka, and goalkeeper Rihards Matrevics in his first official match as head coach for FK Auda. In contrast, Viktors Morozs made no surprises in his starting lineup for RFS, with the only notable absence being Herdi Prenga, who was sidelined due to an injury sustained during the Super Cup.

During a press conference two days prior, Kalns acknowledged that his club was not fully prepared for the season, a claim supported by their performance in the early part of the match. Right from the start, a set play allowed Savaļnieks to cross the ball into the box, where Auda’s defenders failed to cover their opponents. This left Niks Sliede wide open to head the ball in the 40th second of the game, marking the first goal of the TonyBet Virslīga 2025. It was the 20-year-old’s first Virslīga goal for FC RFS and his first goal for RFS since September of 2020 when he scored in the Latvian Cup match against the same FK Auda.

The challenges continued to pile on the home team as RFS doubled their lead in the 14th minute. Cedric Kouadio executed a great solo run and delivered a high-arcing cross to Darko Lemajič, who overpowered Brazilian defender Rafael Pontelo and effectively dunked the ball into the goal past a surprised goalkeeper.

It seemed that only one team was playing at their best during the first half, while the other appeared to be several levels below. However, everything changed in the second half. Kalns, evidently, had motivated his team during the locker room break as they showed up more dangerous and aggressive. In the 58th minute, one of FK Auda’s standout players, Matheus Clemente, reduced the deficit with a close-range goal.

Just a few minutes later, Riga FC loanee Karl Wassom had an excellent opportunity to equalize but failed to connect properly, sending his shot directly to goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa. Auda continued to apply pressure and it seemed like an exciting second half was unfolding. However, in the 70th minute, a tackle by Karl Wassom on Cedric Kouadio was initially given a yellow card. After reviewing the play via VAR, the referee overturned the decision, leaving FK Auda with ten players for the remainder of the match.

Despite being a player down, Auda continued to pursue an equalizer, with Renārs Varslavāns acting as a fabulous key playmaker in midfield during his debut. Ultimately, RFS held on for a 2-1 victory, repeating the result from the opening match of the Virslīga 2024.

FK Auda’s next league game will be on Monday against Riga FC, while FC RFS will host FS Jelgava on Tuesday. Additionally, four more Virslīga matches are scheduled over the next two days for Matchday 1. Tomorrow, FK Grobiņa will host FS Jelgava, and Riga FC will face SK Super Nova. On Friday, BFC Daugavpils will play against FK Tukums 2000, and FK Liepāja will host FK Metta in the final match of Matchday 1.

FK Auda vs FC RFS – 1:2 (0:2)
Goals: Clemente 58′ | Sliede 1′ Lemajic 14′
Yellow Card: Clemente 22′, Jeudi 42′ | Zelenkovs 36′, Panic 41′, Mares 72′, Lemajic 87′ Red Cards: Wassom 75′
Auda: Matrevics – Hrvoj, Meļņiks, Rafael Pontelo, Birka (Diawara 90+1′) – Clemente (Kone 90+1′), Varslavāns, Wassom – Ogunniyi (Camara 90+1′), Monteiro (Nguena 73′), Traore (Jeudi 30′)
RFS: Ondoa – Savaļnieks, Sliede, Lipušček, Mareš – Panič, Zelenkovs – Odisharia (Porsan-Clemente 68′), Kouadio (Talla 82′), Ikaunieks – Lemajic
Referee: Aleksandrs Golubevs