Under the golden dusk skies of Rīga, FK Auda’s European adventure came to a heart-wrenching halt as Northern Irish side Larne edged them out in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout – 2:2 (2:4 on PK).
Jurģis Kalns rang in the changes for the second leg at Skonto Stadium, with Oskars Rubenis, Kader Kone, and Abdoul Kader Traore brought into the starting lineup. Larne manager Nathan Rooney, content with his side’s previous performance, stuck with the same XI – and his decision almost paid immediate dividends.
In just the 2nd minute, Larne’s Paul O’Neill fired the game’s first warning shot, dragging his effort just wide. Auda responded in kind through Kader Kone, who couldn’t keep his header down. It was end-to-end stuff in the opening quarter, with Kemehlo Nguena’s stinging effort forcing a smart save and Matheus Clemente rattling the woodwork later in the half.
But it was Abdoul Kader Traore who lit up the night in the 28th minute, capping a slick move involving Meļniks, Varslavāns, and Rubenis to slot home Auda’s opener – and their first European goal of the season. The roar inside Skonto Stadium told the story: belief was surging through the home crowd.
The second half opened with a gut punch for Auda. Just a few minutes in, Larne’s Conor McKendry found space and let fly from distance, his low shot evading Roberts Ozols and nestling into the bottom corner to level the match and the aggregate.
But Auda weren’t done. They hit back immediately through Enzo Monteiro, freshly introduced after the break. Once again, Rubenis was the provider, and Monteiro showed calm composure to beat Ferguson and restore Auda’s lead.
However, Larne refused to buckle. A lapse in defensive focus from Tin Hrvoj allowed Sean Graham space to deliver, and Paul O’Neill rose to power home the equalizer once more. At 2-2 on the night and 2-2 on aggregate, extra time beckoned.
Auda looked to take control in the first half of extra time, with Ogunji and Jackson Kenio both forcing saves. But Larne dug deep, and despite clear signs of fatigue — cramps and all — they nearly stole it when a set-piece effort kissed the crossbar.
As the final whistle blew, it was the lottery of penalties that would decide the tie — a cruel decider for a match so finely balanced.
Larne struck first and struck well. Auda’s normally unflappable Nguena saw his effort saved by Ferguson, immediately putting the Latvian side on the back foot. Both sides held their nerve with four converted penalties apiece, but when young Burkina Faso talent Ousmane Camara stepped up needing to score, his shot cannoned off the bar.
Larne erupted in celebration. Auda sank to their knees. A European dream had come to an end — not for lack of heart or quality, but in a game of inches and cruel fate.
For FK Auda, it’s a bitter pill — and a harsh exit from a campaign full of potential. For Larne, it’s a step further into Europe, with a likely showdown against Kosovo’s FC Prishtina on the horizon.
FK Auda vs Larne F.C. – 2:2; 2:4 on penalty kicks (1:0)
Goals: Traore 28’, Monteiro 53’ | McKendry 50’, O’Neill 66’
AUD: Ozols, Hrvoj (Ogunji 90’), Meļņiks, Eduardo, Erquiaga, Varslavāns, Clemente, Nguena, Rubenis (Gerold 65’, Stevenson 102’), K.Kone (Monteiro 46’), Traore (Kenio 64’, Camara 118’)
LAR: Ferguson, Cosgrove, Nolan (Ridley 63’), Donnelly, Randall (Magee 78’), Bent, Gallagher, Graham, McEneff (Sloan 46’), O’Neill, McKendry (Lusty 78’)
