Latvian champions Riga FC played their first pre-season friendly in the United Arab Emirates, suffering a 1-2 defeat to Dubai United as preparations for the new season continue.
Coached by Adrian Guľa, Riga FC have been in warm-weather training in the UAE for several days as part of their annual pre-season camp. The match against Dubai United marked their first test of the winter, with the hosts leading 1-0 at half-time.
Riga FC scored once in the second half through Renārs Varslavāns, but the Latvian champions were unable to avoid defeat, eventually losing 1-2.
Riga FC’s next friendly is scheduled in six days, when they will face Slovak side MŠK Žilina, also in the UAE.
Meanwhile, another Virslīga club and Latvian Cup champions, FK Auda, were also in action in Dubai, where they faced Chinese Super League runners-up Shanghai Shenhua. The match ended in a goalless draw (0-0).
Back in the Baltic region, FK Panevėžys claimed a 1-0 victory over BFC Daugavpils. The decisive goal was scored in the 58th minute by Justinas Januševskis at the Berži Gymnasium indoor arena.
In another Latvia-Lithuania club friendly, FK Grobiņa drew 1-1 with FK Banga Gargždai at the Liepāja Olympic Centre Football Hall. Olģerds Raščevskis gave Grobiņa the lead in the 12th minute of the first half, but Banga equalised late in the second half to share the spoils.
