Jurgis Pučinsks | Photo: LFF
The Latvian U17 youth national team defeated the home team 3:2 (1:2) in the final and decisive match of the 2023 European Championship qualification round in Moldova on Tuesday, winning the second place in their group and entering the Elite round, reports the Latvian Football Federation (LFF).
One change was made in the starting line-up of the Latvian national team after the previous game, Kristaps Kļaviņas returning to the starting eleven. Both teams started the game with mutual attacks, but the hosts were more successful, when in the tenth minute, after a corner kick, Danils Andreiču was the most eye-catching in the hustle and bustle of the goal guarded by Henry Ausekles.
In the continuation of the half-time, the youth of Latvia were less able to gain the initiative, and in the 23rd minute they were in the majority. It bore fruit in the 29th minute, when Ralfs Pakulis was the first to hit the ball after a corner kick, restoring the tie. After these events, the fight became very aggressive, but in one of the episodes, Auseklis saved his team with a beautiful jump. The home team, however, had regained the initiative and in the last minute of the half turned it into another goal, taking advantage of Auseklia’s mistake in the exit.
The Latvian national team equalized again at the very beginning of the second half, when Roberts Bočs was accurate, the first being at the ball, which Roberts Kudryašovs hit against the crossbar a moment earlier. In the continuation, the young people of Moldova actively tried to achieve the victory they needed, however, the Latvian players coped with their duties in defense. What’s more, in the 69th minute, Bočs scored his second goal and put the Latvian national team in the lead, once again being the sharpest in front of the goal. In the rest of the time, in a nervous battle, the young people of Latvia protected the advantage.
Before that, in the tournament, the Latvian national team defeated Slovakia with 1:0 and recognized the superiority of Germany with 0:2. Before the final round, Germany had six points and guaranteed first place in the group, Latvia followed with three points, and Slovakia and Moldova had one point each. In Tuesday’s other game, Slovakia beat Germany 1-0, but had to settle for third place in the group.
The winners of the first two places in the group qualify for the elite round, which will take place next spring, as well as the four best of the third place winners. The final tournament with the participation of 16 teams will take place in Hungary in May and June 2023. Head coach Jurgis Pučinsks had included footballers from nine domestic clubs and Italy in the national team. This summer, the Latvian U17 national team became the champion of the Baltic Cup in Finland. In the Baltic Cup tournaments of this age, Latvia has been the best three times in a row.
