RFS defeated Northern Irish side Glentoran for the second week in a row, winning 2-0 at LNK Sporta Parks to complete a 4-1 aggregate victory and advance to the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round. The Latvian champions are now likely to face Icelandic side Vestri, who were trailing Qarabag 0-3 after the first leg of their UEFA Europa League qualifying tie.
After coming from behind to win in Belfast last week thanks to two goals from Mārtiņš Ķigurs, expectations were clear for Viktors Morozs’ side ahead of the return fixture. RFS were expected to finish the job at home, although they began somewhat nervously and were fortunate not to fall behind when Jordan Stewart found space inside the penalty area and fired narrowly wide of the post.
The hosts responded almost immediately and converted their first real opportunity of the evening. Rostand Ndjiki produced an excellent piece of individual play down the flank, dribbling past his marker and leaving the defender on the ground before cutting the ball back into the middle. Lasha Odisharia’s first effort was blocked, but the rebound fell kindly to Modou Saidy, who was completely unmarked in front of goal and calmly scored his first goal in European competition.
The remainder of the first half was played at a relatively slow tempo, with neither side producing particularly fluent attacking football. Much of the game was dominated by physical battles and individual duels, although Glentoran did continue searching for a route back into the tie and came close on two occasions. RFS were slightly fortunate to preserve their lead, but still went into the interval in a commanding aggregate position.
The pattern of the match changed little after the break, with chances remaining limited and the pace staying low. However, RFS eventually punished another Glentoran mistake midway through the second half. Ndjiki broke forward with Jānis Ikaunieks alongside him against a single defender and chose the perfect moment to release the pass, leaving Ikaunieks with the simple task of finishing into an empty net. It was the Latvian international’s first goal in more than two and a half months and made it 2-0 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate.
RFS had further opportunities to extend their advantage during the closing stages but were unable to add a third. Even so, they saw out the game comfortably and secured progression without ever needing to reach their best level.
Morozs’ side will now turn their attention to the second qualifying round, where Vestri appear the most likely opponents. The Icelandic club entered the second leg of their Europa League qualifier against Qarabag with a three-goal deficit, making a drop into the Conference League the most probable outcome.
FC RFS vs Glentoran – 2-0 (1-0) – 4-1 on aggregate
Goals: Saidy 5′, Ikaunieks 61′
