2 v 0 
Derry CityDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 July 2022 | 6:00 pm | UEFA Conference League | 2022/23 |
Match Report
Riga prove a step too far for Derry City in Europe
A double from Gabriel Ramos was enough for Riga FC to end Derry’s Europa Conference league journey at the first qualifying round.
The Brazilian’s double, both involving the silky Douglas Aurielo, made it 4-0 to Riga on aggregate and despite Derry hitting the crossbar twice, ensures that it is the Latvians who advance.
Chasing the tie from a 2-0 deficit in the first leg last week, Derry started strongly in the Skonto Stadium. James Akintunde, starting ahead of Jamie McGonigle, scuffed an early chance.
On sixteen minutes, Akintunde tamely fired wide after Will Patching’s clever pass sent him through on goal. It was a missed opportunity Derry would subsequently rue.
Shortly after the half-hour, dangerman Gabriel Ramos, who tormented Ruaidhri Higgin’s defence last week, opened the scoring. Douglas Aurielo, again prominent, strutted forward and picked out left-back Glody Ngonda in the box. His cutback found Ramos who kept his cool, expertly steering the ball into the corner.
The hosts then had a reprieve. A sloppy backpass from goalkeeper, Nils Tom Purins, was seized upon by Brandon Kavanagh whose instinctive attempt rattled the crossbar.
Ten minutes into the second half, Patching scorched the Riga woodwork once more with a tenacious hit from the edge of the box after fine work from Daniel Lafferty.
The second half was on the verge of petering out, Derry’s one positive being the return of forward Michael Duffy from long-term injury.
Yet even this was soured when Aurielo picked out Ramos who, advancing infield from the left, cannoned a stupendous thunderbolt beyond Brian Maher and into the top corner. 4-0 and tie over.
A harsh score over the two legs but Derry’s first-half performance in Latvia was certainly one for the League of Ireland to be proud of.
They now return to domestic duty in the Airtricity League and must dust off disappointment as they head to Ballybofey to face Finn Harps on Sunday evening.
Timeline
Past Meetings
|
(First Qualifying Round)
0 - 2UEFA Conference League
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium Derry City v Riga FC |
Ground
| Skonto Stadium |
|---|
| Skonto Stadium, Hanzas iela, Centre, Riga, Vidzeme, LV-1010, Latvia |
Rory Morrow
QUB Student, passion for Sports Journalism Editor @ The Gown QUB Newspaper Reporter for @ FinalWhistle
So disappointment for Derry as Riga go through. I hope you enjoyed our coverage tonight and thank you for joining me. See you again for another match soon
4-0 it ends on aggregate as Riga FC deservedly advance even if though the final score does flatter them. Derry will rue their profligacy over both legs
Eoin Toal, heavily linked with Bolton, was substituted for Ciaron Coll there, doesn't appear to be an injury
Eoin Toal, heavily linked with Bolton, was substituted for Ciaron Coll there, doesn't appear to be an injury
Hero of the hour, Ramos is off to a standing ovation from the Skonto Stadium, Amands Peterson comes on
Hero of the hour, Ramos is off to a standing ovation from the Skonto Stadium, Amands Peterson comes on
Another goal from Ramos and that will do it for Riga! Aurielo with another thusting forward run, Ramos comes onto it from the left and sends a thunderbolt into Brian Maher's top left hand corner- Derry will be sick of the sight of him
Michael Duffy makes his return from injury for Derry as he is introduced with Ryan Graydon. Departing are Shane McEleney and Kavanagh
Michael Duffy makes his return from injury for Derry as he is introduced with Ryan Graydon. Departing are Shane McEleney and Kavanagh
Time ticking on for the visitors as Patching slices one horribly wide. Douglas Bergqvist, Riga's captain has led the Latvian side very well through this tie but Derry's second leg performance is one for the League of Ireland to be proud of
The Candystripes have certainly created enough to be winning tonight. Jamie McGonigle and Evan McLaughlin are on the half hour replacing Akintunde and Lafferty
The Candystripes have certainly created enough to be winning tonight. Jamie McGonigle and Evan McLaughlin are on the half hour replacing Akintunde and Lafferty
Will Patching strikes a pearler off the bar after fine work from Daniel Lafferty down the left which created the space for Patching's shot
Lively but Derry struggling to create anything
Yurchenko for Filippov is a half time sub made by Riga
Back underway, Derry with a huge deficit to recover
Half Time: 3-0 to Riga on aggregate at the moment
Home keeper, Nils Toms Purins, plays a poor backpass straight to Kavanagh but the Derry man sees his shot rattle the crossbar!
Derry's task just got a whole lot harder as Gabriel Ramos puts Riga ahead! Douglas Aurielo glides down the left, plays it to the lurking Glody Ngonda and his cutback is calmly converted into the net by Ramos
Derry monopolising possession but no clear chances since Akintunde's opening
Akintunde now gets through on goal with a golden opportunity but puts his shot wide!!
Thanos Petsos has been forced off and Mikael Soisalo replaces him early on
Thanos Petsos has been forced off and Mikael Soisalo replaces him early on
A quiet opening as Riga hold a 2-0 lead but Derry's James Akintunde did scuff a chance
Underway
Good evening, I'm Rory Morrow and welcome to tonight's coverage of Riga FC vs Derry City in this, the second leg of their Europa Conference League Qualifying tie. Kick off in Latvia is 20 minutes away