Liepāja Wins Conference League Qualifier Despite Red Card
FK Liepāja, reduced to ten men in the 21st minute, still managed a 1-0 victory over Montenegrin side Dečič in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round.
FK Liepāja started their UEFA Conference League campaign with a 1-0 home win against Dečič from Montenegro on Thursday, despite playing with a man down from the 21st minute.
Center-back Marvin Martins received a straight red card for a dangerous high-footed challenge, leaving the home side with ten men. However, Liepāja held firm until halftime.
The breakthrough came in the 64th minute when Amars Haidara sprinted down the right flank and passed to Edem Oloko inside the box. Oloko, one-on-one with goalkeeper Danilo Radošević, slotted home the only goal.
The second leg will be played next week. The winner advances to the second round to face Austria Wien, while the loser exits European competition.
In the Latvian Virslīga, Liepāja sits fourth after more than half the season, with close rivals just points behind. Dečič, the 2024 Montenegrin champions and cup runners-up, are currently in their off-season.
Later today, RFS will face Glentoran in Belfast at 21:30 Latvian time, broadcast live on TV4 and Sportacentrs.com.
To reach the Conference League group stage, teams must survive three qualifying rounds and a play-off round.
