RFS with a second-half surge comes back from two-goal deficit
RFS produced a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat FS Jelgava 4-2 at home in the Tonybet Virslīga, overturning a two-goal deficit with four unanswered goals to reclaim top spot in the Latvian championship. Darko Lemajič scored twice after coming off the bench, while Lasha Odisharia played a crucial role in the turnaround, providing three assists.
Photo: Sanita Ieva Sparāne Following Riga FC’s 2-0 victory over Tukums on Saturday, RFS entered Sunday’s encounter knowing that a win would take them back above their city rivals in the title race. However, they faced a determined Jelgava side who produced an impressive first-half performance and threatened to cause a major upset.
RFS controlled possession during the opening stages but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, with several attempts from distance failing to seriously trouble Jelgava goalkeeper Adam Dvoak.
The visitors, meanwhile, looked dangerous on the counterattack and nearly opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Alans Kangars met a cross with a powerful header towards the bottom corner. RFS goalkeeper Jevgēņijs Nerugals demonstrated excellent reactions to turn the ball away and keep the scores level.
The hosts responded by earning several corners, traditionally one of their strongest attacking weapons, but Jelgava defended their penalty area with discipline and continued to threaten whenever they regained possession.
Their positive approach was rewarded in the 28th minute when Filip Hašek opened the scoring. Following a dangerous counterattack, Gļebs Žaleiko won an aerial duel and directed the ball into Hašek’s path. The Czech midfielder took advantage of Nerugals being caught off guard and fired past the goalkeeper to give Jelgava a deserved 1-0 lead, with the goal confirmed following a VAR review.
RFS attempted to respond immediately, but Modou Saidy wasted a promising opportunity from close range. Cedric Kouadio also headed narrowly over shortly before the interval, leaving the hosts trailing by a single goal at half-time.
RFS made an attacking change during the break, introducing Serbian striker Darko Lemajič in place of Kouadio. However, the second half began in disastrous fashion for the home side.
Just two minutes after the restart, RFS lost possession inside their own half, allowing Jelgava to launch another dangerous attack. Martin Hašek played an excellent pass into the path of his brother Filip, who calmly finished past Nerugals to complete his brace and double the visitors’ advantage to 2-0.
With RFS now facing the prospect of a damaging defeat in the title race, the hosts finally found their attacking rhythm, inspired by the combination of Odisharia and Lemajič.
In the 55th minute, the Georgian winger produced an excellent piece of individual skill to beat Armands Pētersons before delivering a precise pass into the penalty area. Lemajič was left unmarked in front of goal and made no mistake, finishing from close range to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
The goal completely changed the momentum of the contest, with RFS immediately pushing forward in search of an equaliser.
Just four minutes later, Odisharia delivered another dangerous cross towards Lemajič, who was brought down inside the penalty area by Kangars. Following a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty, which Stefan Panic confidently converted in the 62nd minute to level the scores at 2-2.
Having surrendered their two-goal advantage in the space of seven minutes, Jelgava struggled to contain the hosts’ growing attacking momentum.
The remarkable turnaround was completed in the 64th minute when Odisharia and Lemajič combined once again. The Georgian delivered another accurate ball into the penalty area, where the Serbian striker controlled it expertly before guiding a right-footed finish into the far corner to put RFS ahead 3-2.
Lemajič almost completed his hat-trick moments later, but Dvorak was equal to his effort. Despite conceding three goals in just nine minutes, Jelgava continued to search for a way back into the contest, with Filip Hašek narrowly missing the target from distance in the 70th minute.
However, RFS eventually put the result beyond doubt in the 81st minute. Jānis Ikaunieks met a delivery inside the penalty area and directed a header towards Rostand Ndjiki, who finished from close range to extend the hosts’ advantage to 4-2.
The final whistle confirmed a dramatic 4-2 victory for RFS, who had appeared to be heading towards a potentially costly defeat before producing a devastating second-half response.
The result sends RFS back to the top of the Virslīga standings, overturning the temporary two-point advantage held by Riga FC following Saturday’s victory over Tukums.
