Errors Cost Moldova Against Ruthless Latvia

A hat-trick by Diana Suvitra and a brace from Anastasija Poluhovica gave Latvia a comfortable 5-0 victory over Moldova. Karlina Miksone grabbed an assist, while Olga Sevcova continued her scintillating form with four assists. The win gives Latvia six points from three matches, while Moldova still seek their first.

Team News

Latvia’s Romans Kvacovs made just one change from the team that started against Andorra, bringing in Diana Suvitra in replacement of Anna Marija Valaka. Latvia’s captain Enija Vaivode started in goal, protected by an unchanged back-four of Sofija Garanca, Anna Flakse, Anastasija Rocane and Paula Linina. Viktorija Zaicikova returned alongside Anna Kristine Gornela in front of the defense. In front of them, Olga Sevcova and Diana Suvitra provided the width. Karlina Miksone continued to support Anastasija Poluhovica in the centre of attack.

Meanwhile, Moldova’s Nicolae Bunea retained faith in Denisa Bojenco in goal. There was just one change at the back from the defence that started against Malta, with Daniela Mardari starting ahead of Valeria Virlan. Mardari started on the right, while Anastasia Sivolobova shifted to the left. Felicia Gutu continued to partner Madalina Badiceanu. Captain Cristina Cerescu protected the defence, while Nadejda Colescnicenco and Anastasia Toma operated further afield. Claudia Chiper and Carolina Tabur occupied the wings. Veronica Cojuhari was the central striker.

Suvitra Double Undoes Moldovan Improvement

The teams kicked off the match in chilly conditions in Jevgala, with temperatures nearing zero degrees. Moldova were the first to hit their stride with a chance to go into the lead three minutes into the match. Carolina Tabur delivered toward Veronica Cojuhari who headed goalward. However, Enija Vaivode got a hand on it before the Latvians cleared their lines.

The home side responded with Karlina Miksone getting the better of her marker and diving inside toward goal. However, she saw her strike curl wide of the far corner. Quarter of an hour into the match the hosts almost opened the scoring through free-kick that appeared straight of a training ground routine. Olga Sevcova almost teed up Karlina Miksone at the near post, but the number nineteen just missed the ball by a whisker.

Despite Latvia’s opportunities, Moldova appeared to be working their counter-attack with slick movement. Claudia Chiper was among the more lively, zooming past the Latvian midfield who appeared reluctant to put a challenge in. Moldova’s number eleven crossed into Carolina Tabur but she could not adjust in time to trouble the goalkeeper. A few minutes later Cristina Cerescu drove a long-range free-kick goalward but Vaivode positioned herself well to get behind the shot.

At the other end, Latvia could not capitalise from two cheap free-kicks, before Moldova had a major chance to put themselves ahead on the half-hour mark. A corner delivery from Tabur found Chiper who flicked it toward Badiceanu but the defender got underneath the strike.

It was one too many chances missed as Latvia made sure to put themselves on the scoresheet two minutes later. Karlina Miskone struck a direct free-kick which Denisa Bojenco saved but dropped right into the path of Diana Suvitra. She put her country ahead by finishing into the the corner of the net.

Claudia Chiper responded positively with a splitting run up the pitch to get Moldova forward. Going past a number of Latvian players, the winger decided to go it alone. Despite feigning a shot to open the space, the Latvian defence forced her wide and the strike from the tight angle favoured Vaivode who was ready to collect.

Latvia responded with the second just five minutes after the first, with the Moldovan defence appearing to have completely switched off to the action. Olga Sevcova crossed the ball into Diana Suvitra who flicked it goalward for the second of the afternoon. The hosts had another opportunity from a set-piece late in the half but Moldova’s defence were determined not to concede more before the break.

Half-Time Score: Latvia 2 – 0 Moldova

Suvitra Completes The Hattrick

Neither coach opted for changes at the break. The hosts attempted to pick up where they left off, with a clear intention to extend their lead. Anastasija Rocane connected to an Olga Sevcova corner delivery but failed to get enough power to trouble the goalkeeper. A few minutes later an unmarked Diana Suvitra was picked out by the same Sevcova, but the youngster could not get the right connection to complete the hat-trick just yet.

An hour into the match, Moldova were still on their bike pressing the Latvian defence high up the pitch and enjoyed a good spell of possession. However, the side struggled to truly trouble the Latvian defence or work the goalkeeper.

Their hard-work was undone as Diana Suvitra tapped in the third in the 63rd minute. Karlina Miksone won a free-kick on the left-wing, which Olga Sevcova delivered into the box. The Moldovan goalkeeper will be disappointed with her reading of the ball, which allowed Suvitra a free swipe at the far-post to complete her hat-trick.

Moldova’s coach Nicolae Bunea looked to his bench for the first time straight after, bringing on Anastasia Cernitu in a straight swap with Anastasia Toma. Meanwhile, Carina Doiban took to the field instead of Veronica Cojuhari. Doiban slotted on the right wing, pushing Carolina Tabur centrally.

Poluhovica Brace Extends Latvia’s Lead

The hosts were still on the hunt for more goals. Miksone cut-back to Sevcova who made the run into the box, but her low strike was saved by Bojenco. Olga Sevcova continued causing trouble for Moldova with her vision. The number fourteen delivered a splitting through ball into Anastasia Poluhovica for the fourth. The striker took it into her stride with a perfect touch, before striking a right boot toward the far corner to net her first, and the team’s fourth.

Moldova’s Bunea responded with a change in defence, taking off Madalina Badiceanu and bringing on Eugenia Railean in a straight swap. However, it did little to deter the Latvians. In a mirror-like attack, Sevcova dinked a ball for Poluhovica to chase behind the defence, this time on the left side. The striker mirrored the previous finish, this time with her left boot, to finish off the brace.

Frustration poured into the Moldovan team, with captain Cristina Cerescu getting booked for dissent shortly after. Aware of the reverse fixture in just four days time, both coaches opted for more changes before the full-time whistle. Latvia’s Kvacovs gave minutes to Ligita Tumane, Sandra Voitane, Signija Senberga, and Viktorija Zaicikova. They swapped with Sofija Garanca, Diana Suvitra, Anastasia Poluhovica and debutant Anastasia Vainere. Meanwhile, Moldova’s Francesca Covali and Mihaela Catarau took to the pitch instead of Daniela Mardari and Nadejda Colescnicenco.

Full-Time Score: Latvia 5 – 0 Moldova

Next Match

The two sides will continue their battle on Tuesday in Moldova. The victory sees Latvia make it two wins out of three matches, while Moldova are still unable to notch their first point in the tournament.

Lead Image: Latvian FA

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