National cup

National stadium
Spectators: 1028 (Terracing: 772, Seating: 236, VIP seats: 20) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Linards Kaprāns started the match with the kick off. After 5 minutes of play, Belarus's Prohar Splendzer made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Zigmārs Ruciņš was left in no man's land by his defense there! Zigmārs Ruciņš took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Branislav Makalevich, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Branislav Makalevich scored 0-2 in the 7th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Zigmārs Ruciņš, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Latvia's Zigmārs Ruciņš played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Branislav Makalevich in the 12th minute of play. Prohar Splendzer struck a weak shot in the 13th minute. Zigmārs Ruciņš didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Belarus. Zigmārs Ruciņš made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Prohar Splendzer in the 15th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Branislav Makalevich in the 26th minute of play forced Latvia's goalkeeper Zigmārs Ruciņš to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a little luck, Belarus's Prohar Makarevich got control of the ball when Linards Kaprāns tried to sneak it across the goal line. Zigmārs Ruciņš stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Branislav Makalevich's shot from short distance in the 34th minute. Zigmārs Ruciņš made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Branislav Makalevich in the 35th minute of play. When Belarus's Branislav Makalevich in the 36th minute got a chance for a shot 36th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Latvia's goalie prevented a goal. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Branislav Makalevich in the 41st minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Zigmārs Ruciņš prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After 41st play minutes Branislav Makalevich shot 0-3, a short shot which went by Zigmārs Ruciņš and just under the crossbar into goal. After 47 played minutes Belarus got a freekick which was hit by Evgeny Salei. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-3 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Prohar Splendzer to make the kick off. After 52 played minutes Latvia got a freekick which was hit by Andis Sovkovs. Zigmārs Ruciņš showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Prohar Splendzer, who was totally free with the ball in the 53rd minute. 54 minutes had been played when some careless play by Latvia's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Radislav Malafeev was slow to take the kick. During this time Belarus's players had a chance to rest. With a little luck, Latvia's Zigmārs Ruciņš got control of the ball when Branislav Makalevich tried to sneak it across the goal line. Latvia's Zigmārs Ruciņš proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 59th minute of the match, managed to save Latvia from getting a goal against them. Linards Kaprāns kicked well hit freekick during the 65th minute of the match. After 67 minutes, Magnuss Smilts-Liedags mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Latvia and the Belarus players grew even worse after the yellow card. Belarus's Vladimir Borisenko was substituted for Artyom Suvorov. Belarus made a substitution. Egor Suhanov replaced Prohar Splendzer. Magnuss Smilts-Liedags hit a great freekick 68 minutes into the match. In the 69th minute Egor Suhanov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Zigmārs Ruciņš saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Prohar Makarevich showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Sandis Freiborns, who was totally free with the ball in the 70th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Linards Kaprāns in the 72nd minute of play forced Belarus's goalkeeper Prohar Makarevich to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 73 played minutes Latvia got a freekick which was hit by Kārlis Lee. Thanks to some nice moves Branislav Makalevich could shoot a difficult shot in the 79th minute, which Zigmārs Ruciņš however easily saved by the left post. Zigmārs Ruciņš made an important save on a dangerous shot by Branislav Makalevich in the 90th minute. Zigmārs Ruciņš made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Vladimir Borisenko in the 96th minute of play. Belarus's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.