Valmiera need home win against Tukums in Virslīga play-off second leg

Valmiera host Tukums 2000 at 13:00 on Saturday at the Jānis Daliņš Stadium in the second leg of the play-off for a place in the 2027 Virslīga, Latvia’s top football division. Valmiera, who finished second in the second tier, trail by one goal.

One mistake decided the first leg

In the first leg in Tukums on Wednesday, 11 November, Tukums 2000, who finished ninth in the Virslīga this season, won 1-0. Valmiera had the best chance of the first half, but in the 48th minute the hosts won the ball near the penalty area and Ruslans Deružinskis was first to the rebound after a save, the Latvian Football Federation said.

What Valmiera need

A one-goal win would level the tie on aggregate, but Valmiera need to win by at least two goals to settle it in normal time. A draw is enough for Tukums.

Valmiera finished second in the second tier with 60 points and 18 wins from 26 games, beating Skanstes 3-2 at home in the final round. Metta won the title with 69 points and return to the top flight without a play-off.

Former champions against a settled top-flight side

Valmiera were Latvian champions in 2022 but last played in the Virslīga in 2024. Tukums 2000 have been in the top division without a break since 2022, but finished ninth this season and must defend their place in the play-off.

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