by Latvia were untroubled by the adverse conditions, triumphing over Andorra by 4-0 to keep alive their hopes of promotion. Olga Sevcova scored a hat-trick, while substitute Anastasija Poluhovica grabbed the fourth.
Team Selections
Latvia’s captain Enija Vaivode started in goal. There were two changes in defence with Kristīne Lodziņa partnering Anastasija Rocane in the heart of defence instead of Anna Flakse. Paula Linina maintained her stay on the left of the defence, while Sandra Voitane replaced the suspended Sofija Garanca. Anna Marija Valaka started alongside Anna Kristine Gornela in front of the defense. In front of them, Olga Sevcova retained her placed on the left of the pitch, while Nelle Treimane started ahead of Diana Suvitra. Karlina Miksone was supported by Viktroija Zaicikova in attack.
Luna Vazquez continued her stay in goal for Andorra. She was protected by a back four, with Captain Marina Muelas Fernandez alongside Laia Sin at its centre, while Paula Marquez and Neus Rosas provided the width. Erica Goncalves started in midfield, with Teresa Armengol. Laia Sole Palau and Sonia Del Barco provided the width to Maria Tizon Fernandez who orchestrated further forward. Maria Ruzafa led the attack.
Quick Sevcova Double Puts Latvia In Front
The snow-laden pitch made it difficult for the two sides to get fluid football going. Although it was Latvia initially trying to get forward momentum, Andorra managed to win a free-kick in midfield close to quarter an hour of play. Marina Muelas Fernandez forced a punch from Enija Vaivoide, but Latvia were untroubled.
However, Latvia started to threaten through a forward run from Karlina Miksone, which was followed by a more incisive one from Olga Sevcova. The latter managed to work Luna Vazquez in the 20th minute, but the tight angle favoured the goalkeeper.
Close to half-an-hour of play Andorra threatened again from a free-kick delivery from out wide. Maria Tizon Fernandez attempted a blind kick from the delivery, which Enija Vaivoide managed to hold.
Karlina Miksone responded by wriggling free from Marina Muelas Fernandez before cutting back to Viktorija Zaicikova, but the latter got underneath it. The home side got very close with a corner which Karlina Miksone helped on toward Nelle Treimane, but she hit the side netting from the far post.
The home side continued turning the cogs, with Olga Sevcova almost getting the better of Luna Vazquez in a one on one, but the goalkeeper got just enough to deflect and allow her team to clear.
Having sounded off the alarm, Latvia’s Olga Sevcova found the net in the 41st minute, with measured looped ball from the left wing that Luna Vazquez failed to keep out despite getting hands on.
Olga Sevcova made it a quick double by placing home the second in the 44th minute. Karlina Miksone burst forward on the counter-attack after the home side cleared a free-kick delivery from Andorra, before picking out her compatriot who made a completely unmarked run.
The Andorrans got a chance to pull one back in injury time, as Maria Ruzafa hit the deck following a challenge from Nelle Treimane. Erica Goncalves tried her luck from the left wing but was wide of the mark.
Half-Time Score: Latvia 2 – 0 Andorra
Sevcova Makes It A Hat-Trick
Andorra’s Jose Antonio Martin made one change at the break, bringing on Laura Borja Martin in replacement of Maria Tizon Fernandez.
However, the hosts picked up exactly where they left off, with Olga Sevcova tapping home the hat-trick just two minutes into the half. Karlina Miksone grabbed another assist by fizzing a low cross across the face of goal to find the number fourteen at the far post.
Viktorija Zaicikova was next to win a free-kick close to the hour-mark to allow the hosts to pile further pressure. However, the delivery was too long for Nelle Treimane to get something on it at the far post.
Teresa Armengol tried to cajole her team into some forward momentum but Latvia’s defence shut the door firmly on the run.
Poluhovica Extends Lead
Romans Kvacovs made the first change just over the hour mark, with Anastasija Poluhovica replacing Nelle Treimane.
Latvia’s Anna Kristine Gornela and Anastasija Rocane both worked Luna Vazquez from two successive corner kick deliveries, but neither could add to the tally. Gornela next tried her luck from distance forcing Vazquez to punch over the bar.
Instead it was the substitute who Anastasija Poluhovica who added to the tally, converting home from an Olga Sevcova cross in the 67th minute.
Karlina Miksone missed a good opportunity to make it five just two minutes later. Anna Kristine Gornela picked out her run with a dinked ball, but Miksone’s chip over the keeper had just a little too much height on it.
Jose Antonio Martin introduced Iria Dominguez instead of Sonia Del Barco, and Lucia Colleres Soto in replacement of Laia Sin, in the 78th minute. Romans Kvacovs responded by bringing off Paula Linina and Viktorija Zaicikova, who were replaced by Marina Telukevica and Amelija Lipsane, respectively.
Karlina Miksone won Latvia another free-kick with a good opportunity to put the ball into the box in the 80th minute. Olga Sevcova teased a ball toward the substitute Lipsane, who flicked it goal-ward, but Luna Vazquez made it hers. Anastasija Poluhovica attempted to make it a brace three minutes from time, but could not quite direct a header goal-ward.
Romans Kvacovs gave Karlina Miksone and Olga Sevcova a slightly earlier rest, bringing on Katrine Danilova and Anastasija Vainere in their stead for the final throes of the match. Meanwhile, Maria Ruzafa gave way to Claudia Plaja Vendrell for Andorra.
Marina Muelas Fernandez attempted to get one back with a long-range effort from a free-kick. However, it flew just above the cross-bar.
Final Score: Latvia 4 – 0 Andorra
Standings & Next Matches
The results means that Latvia take their tally to ten, keeping up the pressure on Malta who are on twelve. They still have to face Moldova at 15:00 CET today. Malta can confirm their promotion with a match to spare if they win the match against Moldova.
The final match-day awaits for Latvia who will next be travelling to Malta, while Andorra will welcome Moldova on home turf. Both matches will be played on the 5th December at 16:00 CET.
Lead Image: Sievesu Futbols
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[…] the final match after having played very different encounters. Latvia started things off with a 4-0 victory over Andorra, to keep their promotion hopes alive after they had rescued a 3-3 draw against Moldova in the […]
[…] temperatures against Andorra. The match made for tricky conditions but Romans Kvacovs’ side passed the test with flying colours and there were some early substitutions to rest a few players as […]