Latvian Futsal Team Secures Draw Against Czechia in World Cup Qualifiers
The Latvian national futsal team earned a 3–3 draw away against Czechia in their opening match of the 2028 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualification main round, sportacentrs.com reported. Andžejs Mickēvičs and a brace from Renards Ūdris supplied the goals for Latvia, while Dušan Kunstner scored twice for Czechia alongside a goal from Michal Seidlers, according to Latvian Public Broadcasting (LSM).
How the Goals Unfolded in Czechia
The match remained scoreless until the final seconds of the first half, when Andžejs Mickēvičs slotted the ball into an empty net to give Latvia a 1–0 lead, sportacentrs.com reported. Early in the second half, 22 minutes into the match, Renards Ūdris doubled the advantage to 2–0, though Czechia immediately answered with their first goal. Czechia quickly seized momentum, as Dušan Kunstner scored in the 28th and 32nd minutes to complete a brace and put the hosts ahead 3–3—wait, to put Czechia ahead 3–2, LSM noted. Latvia leveled the score at 3–3 just a minute later when Ūdris netted his second goal of the night, sealing the final score and earning Latvia one point in Group 12.
Standings and Upcoming Fixtures in Group 12
Following the opening round of matches, Czechia leads Group 12 with four points from two games following a 2–1 win over Azerbaijan, while Latvia sits second with one point from one match, sportacentrs.com reported. The qualification path continues on November 8 when Latvia travels to face Azerbaijan away. Latvia will then host Azerbaijan and Czechia in home fixtures scheduled for the boundary of February and March, LSM reported.
Latvia Enters Qualification Cycle with Confidence
Latvia enters the qualification cycle carrying confidence from a strong run over the previous 12 months, which included a debut appearance at the European Championship in Riga in January and a successful preliminary round in April, LSM reported. In October, the team also earned a 2–2 draw in a friendly against previous World Cup bronze medalists Ukraine, where Miks Babris scored seven minutes from time and goalkeeper Igors Labuts saved a penalty, according to the Latvian Football Federation (LFF). Head coach Massimiliano Bellarte assembled a 16-man squad featuring players from domestic clubs alongside leagues in Poland, Greece, Belgium, Italy, and Czechia, with many players moving abroad after domestic clubs RFS and Riga ceased maintaining futsal teams, LSM reported.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Match
Where does Latvia rank internationally compared to Czechia?
Czechia sits 19th in the global futsal rankings, while Latvia occupies the 42nd position, according to LSM.
How many teams advance from the World Cup qualifying main round?
The 12 group winners and the four best runners-up advance directly to the elite round, while the remaining eight second-place teams compete in play-offs for the final four spots, LSM reported.
Who are the newest additions to the Latvian national team squad?
Tonijs Moldovāns and Niks Edžus Bērziņš received their first national team call-ups from head coach Massimiliano Bellarte for this qualification campaign, according to the LFF.
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