Courtesy: UEFA.com


Riga reunion for rivals

Thursday, 13 October 2005

by Michael Korolev

from Riga

Latvian champions FC Raba Riga hope to improve their nation's fortunes in the UEFA Futsal Cup as they host first qualifying round Group 1 starting on Saturday.

Domestic dominance
FK Bugroff's 3-2 win against KMN Litija in their last match at this stage of the 2004/05 edition was the first time any Latvian side had gained victory in the competition - Policijas FK, PFK Olimp and FK Oma all having departed without beating any of their opponents in the previous three seasons. Raba stormed to the Latvian title in 2004/05, winning 19 games and drawing the other, scoring 159 goals along the way and boasting four of the top five strikers.

Dorozhnik rematches
They were just as dominant in the Baltic league for Latvian, Belarussian and Lithuanian teams, though fellow Group 1 contenders FC Dorozhnik Minsk were not involved. Indeed, the champions of Belarus are tipped to do well in Riga, as are the Brazilian-infused Kazakhstani representatives FC Kairat Almaty - who were pipped to the second qualifying round on their tournament debut last year by Dorozhnik, who won the deciding match 5-4 with two last-minute goals. Romania's A.C.S. Odorheiu Secuiesc are also competing for the second time, having played in 2002/03 when their first qualifying round campaign began with a 3-1 loss to Dorozhnik.

'We can win'
Against this level of opposition, Raba's well-balanced squad have a tough task, but the group should be tight especially when home support is factored in. Coach Arturs Šketovs, aiming to see his side repeat their domestic success on the international stage, said: "Our opponents are very strong, but they're not extra-terrestrial. We can win."

Rudzionis recovers
His team are boosted by fine recent form, winning the Riga Cup on home territory and gaining several victories including at Lithuanian champions FK Nautara. Raba entered their final training camp on Wednesday and are at full-strength following Kestutis Rudzionis's recovery from injury and the signing of Sergejs Vasiljevs.

Tuesday conclusion
Raba play Kairat on Saturday at the Olimpiskais Sporta Centrs, after which Dorozhnik take on Odorheiu. The Belarussian champions are then reunited with Kairat the following day, with Raba facing Odorheiu. The Tuesday deciders match Kairat against Odorheiu and Raba with Dorozhnik, competing for the fourth time having made it past this stage for the first time last season.



Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com