UNITED UNDONE BY CLINICAL FORTUNA
07 / 05 / 2016
FK Fortūna / Ogre 
10-man Riga United suffer a loss in their opening match, after going down 5-0 away to FK Fortūna/Ogre.
Date published: 07/05/2016 - 15:10
Riga United must curse their luck in this league and against
Fortuna as they never seem to have an easy time against them.
This occasion was no different, with a few injuries before
the game and a sending off on the half hour mark, it made life
difficult.
With a new look team Riga United wanted to get out of the blocks
and pressure Fortuna and for the first 15mins it looked possible,
however, Fortuna saw to it that they would be the ones trying to
control this game. They got their opening goal in the 18th
minute. It went downhill from there as Murat Kelkit, the Riga
United goalie, was sent off in the 30th minute. Leaving
left-back Paul Gloria Andrez to go between the sticks. This was not
the start Riga were hoping for. However, they managed to
settle the game down and show some promising signs, hoping to go
into half time 1-0 down but a goal from Fortuna in the 40th, put
the home team in a commanding position.
In the second half, Riga showed Fortuna, what they might be capable
of if things went their way. Containing Fortuna for the
majority of the 2nd half. Though, Fortuna sealed the win with the
3rd goal 5mins after half time in the 50th minute and then with
tired legs and frustration kicking in, this led to mistakes and 2
more goals were put away by Fortuna in the 87th and 89th minute
respectively.
Riga United will be disappointed with this game as it was a chance
to show the league what they can do. Outside elements did
play a factor but Riga need to step up a gear if they are to cause
upsets against bigger teams this season. They will have a chance to
redeem themselves, next game on Thursday 12th May as they take on
defending champions FC Caramba Riga in their first home game of the
season.
After the game, the RUSG caught up with player/coach Aleks Alunāns
for a quote. He was sympathetic but is ready to see improvements in
the up and coming games: “Of course it is quite a difficult start
to the season, but hats off to Fortuna they were very clinical in
attack. We started the match a bit nervous, but we were slowly
gaining possession in their half. Unfortunately the defense
struggled with their direct counter attacks, and by the time we had
conceded the first goal they had already created a few chances. The
sending off was the result of this pressure continuing, and from
there it was always going to be an uphill battle
Credit to our team we came out fighting and contained them well,
even threatening their goal a few times. There are a lot of factors
at play in this defeat but the bottom line is that we're were not
good enough, and we will have to improve against a strong opponent
next week.”