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Peter Green - July 16, 2019
Riga vs Dundalk
Champions League Qualification
Date: Wednesday, 17 July 2019
Kick off at 17:30 UK/ 18:30 CET
Venue: Skonto stadions (Riga).
The maiden clash between the two teams, earlier last week, finished in a stalemate with neither teams managing to find the back of the net.
Riga certainly began the game on a strong note and came closest to scoring a goal in the first half with one of their shots being right on target. However, the tables turned in the second half, with the Irish outfit dominating the possession on the ball and making four attempts at goal, one of which forced the goalkeeper to pull off a save.
Mihails Konevs men were also the more aggressive of the two sides, which lead to the referee booking three of his players, while their opponents received not more than one yellow card.
The winner on Wednesday will progress to the quarterfinals, where they will meet the team that comes out on top in the clash between Partizani and Qarabag.
The hosts are likely to edge it past the visitors when the teams take each other on in the return leg at the Skonto stadions.
The visitors failed to grab an advantage to carry into the second leg, and have no one but themselves to blame for that. They managed not more than one shot on target despite making eight attempts at goal and will have to prove their worth in the attacking third if they are to keep their hopes alive.
The hosts will be coming into the tie on the back of a 6-0 win away from home in the league. However, the team are without a win in their last two games on home soil and will be hoping to return to winning ways when they take on the Irish outfit.
The clash is likely to see the hosts clinch the win, but by not more than a slender margin at the end of the final whistle.
