It was the 116th minute and penalty shootout was to be held but Ukrainian midfielder of Mikola Nakonechni took free kick and goal… Sevasti Todua, captain of “Torpedo”, scored in his goal. After that “Torpedo” was attacking its opponent but the team did not have a chance to score goal.
“Gagra” – this season was miracle for the team. “Gagra” became champion in First League and moved to Supreme League. Besides that, the team beat “Dinamo” Tbilisi, “Wit Georgia” and “Torpedo” at Cup. The First League team has never won Cup before.
“Torpedo” turned out favorite only on paper. “Gagra” was not going to be outsider on field and did not give up – players of Anatoli Piskovets had some goal moments…
Davit Digmelashvili (“Torpedo”) did not participate in this match. “Gagra” had injured forward Abaiomi Ovonikoko. Nigerian football player scored 4 goals against “Wit Georgia” within 2 matches.
At the 8th minute, Giorgi Seturidze overtook Zviad Chkhetiani and both of them were on the pitch. If referee thought it was violation of rules, he should show red card to Chkhetiani because Seturidze would have been one on one with goalkeeper. But referee Levan Kvaratskhelia ordered to continue playing.
At the 22nd minute, Giorgi Gabedava, forward of “Gagra”, shot the ball and it touched goalpost. After two minutes, Shalva Kvantaliani assisted Vladimir Ordinski and he missed the ball.
Grigol Dolidze, player of “Torpedo”, assisted Giorgi Megreladze who missed the ball. At the 29th minute, Tengiz Chikviladze shot from a long distance and the ball touched the crossbar. Soon after, Revaz Gotsiridze shot the ball with head and Sepiashvili dived. The ball touched the goalpost and left the pitch.
Dolidze parried the ball of Giorgi Tkeshelashvili, captain of “Gagra”, with head. “Torpedo” had stronger players but the team did not have midfielder who could catch the ball and make good assists. “Gagra” played better in the middle of the pitch.
After the break, “Gagra” gained advantage till the 65th minute and free kick of Tkeshelashvili is worth distinguishing. Migineishvili parried it. Gigatadze made only one substitute during 90 minutes. Piskovets did not even make this one.
Nika Sabanadze who was in the main staff in the 3rd-4th circles did not play this time. Luka Guguchia who scored goal against “Dinamo” started playing at the 117th minute… it is strange but clear – it was final and Gigatadze trusted more experienced players.
At the 65th minute, goalkeeper of “Gagra” hardly parried the ball shot by forward of “Torpedo”. After this, “Torpedo” made a good combination which ended up with shot of Dolidze. Sepiashvili parried the ball. At the 90th minute, Dolize kicked again but missed.
And additional time. The team of Piskovets almost advanced at the beginning of it – Nakonechni took a free kick and Migineishvili parried it on corner. After one minute, Mikheil Koberidze tried to score goal but missed it.
We all though that time of penalty shootout had come but Sevasti Todua had woken up on left foot…
“Gagra” was so happy. Some players even had tears in their eyes. “Torpedo” was disappointed.
Georgian Cup. Final
26.05. 17:00. Tbilisi. “National”. 12000 spectators
“Gagra” – “Torpedo” (Kutaisi) 1:0 (Add. Time)
Gagra: Sepiashvili, Khutsidze, Tkeshelashvili, Zviad Chkhetiani, Kalandadze, Nakonechni, Sharikadze, Ordinski (Koberidze 91; Tsitskhvaia 120), Nikoloz Jishkariani, Kvantaliani, Gabedava (Gigauri 117).
Head coach: Anatoli Piskovets
Torpedo: Migineishvili, Popkhadze, Parulava, Todua, Chikviladze, Giorgi Datunaishvili, Tarkhnishvili (Guguchia 117), Dolidze (Kebadze 96), Seturidze, Megreladze, Gotsiridze (Vakhtang Kvaratskhelia 71).
Head coach: Gia Gigatadze
Goal: 1:0 Todua (116-autogoal)
Yellow card: Tarkhnishvili (54), Nakonechni (57), Popkhadze (65), Megreladze (119), Chkhetiani (119), Kvantaliani (120).
Referee: Levan Kvaratskhelia
Ilia Nanobashvili
