RFS survive second-half scare to secure three points in Tukums

The reigning champions FC RFS produced an impressive attacking performance, scoring five goals in their Tonybet Virslīga Matchday 15 fixture to defeat FK Tukums 2000 5–2 away from home.

Despite sitting at the bottom of the table, Tukums had only lost once in their previous six home matches. RFS, meanwhile, had dropped points in their last two away games, drawing 2–2 in Jelgava and losing 1–2 in Liepāja. While the visitors had several first-team regulars back in the lineup, Tukums were forced to play without starting center-back Rūdolfs Reingolcs, who served a suspension. The game marked Tukums’ first at home on natural grass, making them the eighth Virslīga club to make the switch this season. Only Metta and Daugavpils remain on artificial surfaces, with Metta scheduled to move to a natural pitch on June 17.

RFS took control early in the match. In the 26th minute, after sustained pressure, Mor Talla Gaye delivered a cross from the right. Darko Lemajič’s initial header was saved by Raivo Stūriņš, but the ball fell kindly back to the Serbian striker, who made no mistake with the rebound, scoring his seventh goal of the season. Eleven minutes later, the lead was doubled. This time, Roberts Savaļnieks crossed from the right, and Stūriņš failed to clear the ball cleanly with his fists. It fell straight to Gaye, who was left unmarked and calmly sent it into the empty net.

Just before halftime, RFS scored a third. After a corner kick taken by Petr Mareš, Mikaze Nagasawa rose to head the ball high over the goalkeeper into the far corner, giving the visitors a 3–0 advantage at the break.

Tukums responded quickly in the second half. Artūrs Krancmanis reacted fastest in the box to convert a cross from Niks Dusalijevs, reducing the deficit to 1–3. Less than seven minutes later, Dusalijevs was once again central to the action. After breaking into the box down the right, he delivered a low pass to the onrushing Bogdans Samoilovs. Taking advantage of Stefan Panić’s lapse in concentration, Samoilovs finished from a falling position to make it 2–3 and suddenly put the game back in the balance.

RFS appeared momentarily shaken, committing several defensive errors, and Tukums came close to equalizing. However, in the 68th minute, the visitors regained control. Gaye’s shot was parried by Stūriņš, but Lemajič was first to the rebound and scored his second of the match and 11th of the season, restoring a two-goal lead.

Later in the match, Jānis Ikaunieks came on as a substitute, as he continues his gradual return to form after an injury. In the final minute of stoppage time, he capped off the win with a goal of his own, scoring his first league goal since March 29. The referee blew the final whistle immediately after.

With this result, RFS remains in second place, two points behind leaders Riga FC. Tukums 2000, meanwhile, stays at the bottom of the league with 11 points out of 15 matches.

FK Tukums 2000 vs FC RFS – 2:5 (0:3)
Goals: Krancmanis 50′, Samoilovs 52′ | Lemajic 26′ 67′, Talla 37′, Nagasawa 45+3′, Ikaunieks 90+5′
TUK: Stūriņš, Rogovs, Mihoubi, Semeško, Kholod (Kačanovs 77′), Volkovs, Krancmanis (Joksts 72′), Anmanis (Ķiršs 72′), Samoilovs (Putrāns 77′), Dusalijevs (Sirbu 82′), Pūlis
RFS: Vilkovs, Mares, Lipuscek (Stuglis 46′), Prenga, Savaļnieks, Karashima, Nagasawa (Ikaunieks 70′), Panic, Talla (Saidy 90′) – Zelenkovs (Clemente 82′), Lemajič

Virslīga Matchday 15:

• 24.05.2025 – FK Metta vs Riga FC – 0:3
• 24.05.2025 – FK Liepāja vs FK Auda – 0:0
• 25.05.2025 – BFC Daugavpils vs FS Jelgava – 1:0
• 25.05.2025 – FK Tukums 2000 vs FC RFS – 2:5
• 26.05.2025 – FK Grobiņa vs SK Super Nova – 18:00