JELGAVA, Latvia — Home advantage has paid dividends during the first-lag semifinals of the Triobet Baltic football league.

With both first-leg matched taking place Wednesday, Ventspils and Sūduva were able to demonstrate the advantages in playing in front of home crowds as they clocked up wins over Flora and Liepājas Metalurgs respectively.

Playing the first game Ventspils were on fine form, scoring a goal in each half to secure the victory over Flora and give them a healthy lead going into the return leg next month.

However, bragging rights went to Lithuania in the day’s second match with Suduva trumping competition favorites, Liepājas Metalurgs 3-0, giving Liepāja plenty of food for thought looking ahead to the return leg.

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