Riga crush Metta 4:1 with Avanī double and Kaju's direct corner
In the Latvian Cup quarterfinal, Riga beat Metta 4:1 at home, with goals from Kaju and a double from Rakī Avanī.
Riga secured a convincing 4:1 home win over Metta in a Latvian Cup quarterfinal match played at Skonto Stadium.
The first half ended goalless despite chances at both ends. Metta looked the more threatening side at times, with Selū Dželovs creating two dangerous moments. Goalkeeper Krišjānis Zviedris made a key save in the first instance, while defender Abners cleared danger in the second. Riga also came close before the break, but Metta's defense, led by goalkeeper Krists Pļaviņš, held firm.
Second-half surge
Riga opened the second half with a substitution, bringing on Nors Mavarims, whose move to the club had only been announced an hour before kickoff. Shortly after the restart, Riga took the lead in the 53rd minute when Kaju scored directly from a corner kick.
The hosts extended their advantage in the 69th minute through recently substituted Rakī Avanī, who found the net from the edge of the penalty area. Minutes later, Avanī doubled his personal tally, finishing unmarked in front of goal to beat Pļaviņš again.
Metta pulled one back late in the match through Daņiils Čiņajevs, but Riga had the final say when substitute Jagu Sikeira scored in the 90th minute, sealing the 4:1 final score.
The match was officiated by Kārlis Rozītis. With this win, Riga move closer to the Latvian Cup semifinals. Elsewhere in the quarterfinal round, Daugavpils earlier beat Ogre United 3:1, while matches between Super Nova and RFS, as well as Auda and Grobiņa, are still to be played.
