We are in a tragicomic situation. On March 26, the whole Georgia was celebrating and some people were even preparing Ukraine – Poland visa; we still had chance of taking the second place 5 days ago. Now, look at the schedule – “Crusaders” are in the 4th place but perhaps, they will end up the group with the 5th place.
Low speed, the weakest attack, no improvisation and no team playing – it was Georgian team at “Ta Qali” stadium.
Temur Ketsbaia substituted two players in “Latvian” staff. Nukri Revishvili stood in the goal and Gia Grigalava substituted with Aleksandre Amisulashvili. Though, defender of “Volga” played on the left wing. Kakha Kaladze played on the position of Amisulashvili. Maltese players attacked first when Michael Mifsudshot from a long distance and Nukri Revishvili parried the ball. Mifsud scored goal at the 25th minute but before that Georgians scored goal: at the 15th minute, Davit Targamadze took a corner kick, Kankava shot the ball with head and 0:1.
Kankava scored goal against Croatia at these minutes but that was Croatia and Malta is Malta. Mifsud scored goal and 1:1.
Mifsud scored two goals in a friendly match when Hector Cuper coached Georgians. The team of Temur Ketsbaia had advantage in the rest time of the half, took corner kicks but could not score. Targamadze attacked actively but without result. He got tired in the second half and was not so active anymore.
Nothing has changed after the break. Georgians possessed the ball for a long time. Iashvili shot the ball but the goalkeeper parried it.
It is a dream to think about the final stage when you do not have center forward. None of 4 forwards were distinguished on the field. After the match, Temur Ketsbaia looked angry and disappointed.
Euro 2012 quaifying round.
6.09. 22:30. La – Valeta. “Ta Qali”. 7 000 spectators
Malta – Georgia 1:1 (1:1)
Malta: Hogg, Caruana, Sciberras, Andrei Agius, Fenech (Bogdanovic 60), Briffa, Cohen (Woods 90+1), Failla, Schembri (Pace 77), Mifsud.
Head coach: John Buttigieg.
Georgia: Revishvili, Kashia, Khizanishvili, Kaladze, Grigalava, Kankava, Kobiashvili, Ananidze (Kobakhidze 77), Iashvili (Dvalishvili 61), Targmadze, Martsvaladze (Dvalishvili 66).
Head coach: Temur Ketsbaia.
Goals: 0:1 Kankava (15), 1:1 Mifsud (25).
Booked: Khizanishvili (11), Kashia (58), Hogg (90+3).
Referee: Van Boekel (Holland).
Other matches of Group F:
Croatia – Israel 3:1 (0:1).
Goals: 0:1 Hemed (44), 1:1 Modric (47), 2:1, 3:1 Eduardo (55, 57).
Sent-off: Ben Haim (51, Israel).
Latvia – Greece 1:1 (1:0)
Goals: 1:0 Tsaunia (20), 1:1 Kiriakos Papadopulos (84).
Schedule situation
Croatia 8 6 1 1 16:5 19
Greece 8 5 3 0 10:4 18
Israel 9 4 1 4 11:11 13
Georgia 9 2 4 3 6:7 10
Latvia 8 2 2 4 7:10 8
Malta 8 0 1 7 4:17 1
Ilia Nanobashvili
