Ventspils crash out of cup

FK Ventspils hopes of winning a trophy this season were dented after an aggregate loss to FHK Liepajas Metalurgs in the Latvian Cup semi-finals.

Unexpected defeat
Ventspils needed a 2-0 victory to advance to the final after they unexpectedly fell to a 3-1 defeat in Liepaja two weeks ago. But in the return leg, Paul Ashworth's men were shocked again, as Russian striker Aleksander Katasonov scored twice before half-time.

Recovery not enough
Ventspils found spirit to recover, however, as young Andrejs Butriks scored twice on 78 and 90 minutes, but that was not enough to earn a place in the final.

Comfortable for Skonto
In the other semi-final, FC Skonto comfortably cruised through, as they beat FK Auda Riga 9-2 on aggregate. Aleksandrs Elisejevs and Mihails Miholaps scored twice, as Oreastas Buitkus added another one for Skonto, while Dmitrijs Ksendzovs pulled one back for helpless Auda.