Riga FC dropped more points in the Virslīga title race after being held to a 1-1 draw at home by BFC Daugavpils, extending their league winless run to three matches.
Former Bosnia and Herzegovina international goalkeeper Kenan Piric was included in the Riga squad for the first time, although Frank Dāvids Orols retained his place in goal. At the other end, Jānis Beks was kept busy throughout the first half as Riga regularly tested the Daugavpils goalkeeper.
Samuel Pedro, Reginaldo Ramires and Salah-Eddine Oulad all had early efforts, while Beks was also called into action by Andres Salazar and Iago Siqueira as Riga gradually increased the pressure.
The hosts thought they had taken the lead in the 35th minute. Salazar delivered into the area, Ramires flicked the ball on and Caio Ferreira finished from close range, but the goal was overturned after a VAR review for offside.
Riga continued to push before the break, with Salazar forcing another save from Beks, but the teams went into half-time level.
Daugavpils then stunned the hosts shortly after the restart. Substitute Abdoul Traore, introduced at half-time, broke into the penalty area in the 53rd minute and fired a powerful finish into the top-right corner to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Riga responded by making several attacking changes and eventually found the equaliser in the 72nd minute. Oulad delivered a cross into the box and Siqueira rose in the middle to head the ball into the bottom corner.
The hosts pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages, but Daugavpils remained dangerous on the counterattack. Daniel Kiwinda went close to restoring their lead, while at the other end Beks denied Oulad from distance.
Riga had one final opportunity deep into stoppage time when Abdulrahman Taiwo found himself in front of goal, but his effort flew over the crossbar and the points were shared.
The 1-1 draw leaves Riga without a win in their last three Virslīga matches. And still four points behind the leaders RFS with eight games remaining in the season.
Riga FC vs BFC Daugavpils – 1-1 (0-0)
Goals: Siqueira 72′ | Traore 53′
Next matches:
Riga FC (h) FK Auda – September 11
BFC Daugavpils (h) FC RFS – September 13
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  RFS |
28 | 22 | 4 | 2 | 68 | 20 | 48 | 70 |
| 2 |  Riga FC |
28 | 20 | 6 | 2 | 82 | 28 | 54 | 66 |
| 3 |  FK Auda |
28 | 17 | 5 | 6 | 45 | 27 | 18 | 56 |
| 4 |  FK Liepāja |
29 | 12 | 5 | 12 | 39 | 41 | -2 | 41 |
| 5 |  BFC Daugavpils |
29 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 34 | 33 | 1 | 38 |
| 6 |  Super Nova |
27 | 9 | 5 | 13 | 28 | 38 | -10 | 32 |
| 7 |  FS Jelgava |
29 | 8 | 7 | 14 | 32 | 48 | -16 | 31 |
| 8 |  Grobiņa |
29 | 5 | 9 | 15 | 20 | 51 | -31 | 24 |
| 9 |  FK Tukums 2000 |
29 | 5 | 8 | 16 | 43 | 59 | -16 | 23 |
| 10 |  Ogre United |
28 | 3 | 5 | 20 | 27 | 73 | -46 | 14 |
