A spectacular second-half strike from Youba Traore proved enough to hand FK Auda a hard-fought 1-0 victory over FK Liepāja on Monday evening, as the rescheduled Tonybet Virslīga Matchday 23 fixture at Skonto Stadium ended in another defeat for the visitors.
Originally scheduled for last month, the match was postponed due to both clubs’ participation in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers. The opening stages were cagey, with neither side able to establish control as play was largely confined to midfield.
Liepāja, who were still searching for their first victory over Auda this season, created the game’s first clear opportunity in the 12th minute. After winning possession deep inside Auda territory, Bart Straalman released Amar Haidara with a long pass. Ralfs Kragliks failed to intercept, allowing the Mauritanian winger to race through on goal, but his effort lacked the power to beat goalkeeper Nils Toms Puriņš.
On that play injury blow for Auda happened. Right-back Tin Hrvoj was forced off after pulling the hamstring while tracking back defensively, with Sebastian Aranda replacing the Croatian.
Auda’s first major chance arrived midway through the opening half. Following a turnover in midfield, Miņins sparked a quick counterattack before finding Eduards Dašķevičs on the right. His dangerous cross picked out Kader Kone inside the six-yard box, but with the goal at his mercy, the forward fired over the crossbar.
After a goalless first half, Liepāja enjoyed the better of the early exchanges after the restart despite missing suspended league top scorer Joseph Ede Oloko. Danila Patijčuks came closest when his falling effort flashed narrowly wide of the post, while Kyvon Leidsman was also unable to convert a promising opportunity.
Having spent much of the second half defending, Auda capitalised with their first real opening in the 77th minute. A long throw from the right eventually fell to Edvin Bongemba, who cleverly laid the ball back to Youba Traore on the edge of the penalty area. The 20-year-old Ivorian unleashed a superb first-time strike into the top corner, scoring his first-ever Virslīga goal and giving the hosts a priceless lead.
Liepāja’s hopes of mounting a late comeback suffered another blow in the closing stages. Substitute Rodolphe Ekou was shown two yellow cards in the space of just three minutes, reducing the visitors to ten men in the 88th minute. It marked Liepāja’s third red card in their last five league matches.
Auda comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to secure their fourth victory over Liepāja in all competitions this season – three in the Virslīga and one in the Latvian Cup.
The win strengthens Didier Zanetti’s side in third place with 52 points from 26 matches. Liepāja remain fifth on 37 points, level with BFC Daugavpils but behind their rivals due to an inferior head-to-head record this season.
Liepāja will return to league action next Monday when they host reigning champions Riga FC, while Auda will be back in action on Saturday with a home fixture against SK Super Nova.
FK Auda vs FK Liepāja – 1-0 (0-0)
Goal: Traore 77′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  RFS |
26 | 21 | 3 | 2 | 65 | 20 | 45 | 66 |
| 2 |  Riga FC |
26 | 20 | 5 | 1 | 79 | 24 | 55 | 65 |
| 3 |  FK Auda |
26 | 16 | 4 | 6 | 43 | 26 | 17 | 52 |
| 4 |  BFC Daugavpils |
27 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 33 | 31 | 2 | 37 |
| 5 |  FK Liepāja |
27 | 11 | 4 | 12 | 36 | 39 | -3 | 37 |
| 6 |  Super Nova |
25 | 8 | 4 | 13 | 26 | 37 | -11 | 28 |
| 7 |  FS Jelgava |
27 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 28 | 46 | -18 | 28 |
| 8 |  Grobiņa |
27 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 50 | -31 | 21 |
| 9 |  FK Tukums 2000 |
27 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 40 | 54 | -14 | 20 |
| 10 |  Ogre United |
26 | 3 | 5 | 18 | 26 | 68 | -42 | 14 |
