econd half is newly started, when Nika Dzalamidze won the ball in the centre of the field and assisted to Irakli Shekiladze, he ran fast and was face to face Swiss goalkeeper. He was to score but kicked incorrect destination. Banal phrase “if you do not score, you will get goal in your goal” started working after that and in three minutes Fransua Afolter scored with head – 0:1.
Georgian national U-21 team played the fourth match in qualifying round of European championship 2012 and lost the third times in a row. Soso Chedia had debut as head coach of the team and he was very close to playing draw, but we have to admit that Switzerland has better team than Georgia does. As a result of it Swiss team was a favorite in this match.
Chedia used three forwards, Irakli Kobalia played as midfielder and he was helped by Giorgi Chanturia and Irakli Shekiladze from the wings. Nika Dzalamadze was back to Shekiladze’s position. In the first half Georgians showed a big resistance to the rival team. Chanturia was distinguished player. At the 5th minutes he kicked the standard kick and had chance of scoring, but goalkeeper Roman Burki saved the situation. When you watch playing of Chanturia (forward of “Vitesse”) you cannot set his talent under question, but it is true that his individualism is overmuch. Unfortunately Chanturia injured and at the 66th minutes he was substituted due to it.
At the 18th minutes Swiss team had the super moment of scoring, Saba Kvirkvelia was trying to parry the ball out, when it touched to Swiss player and went to in direction of Makaradze’s goal. He left his goal for saving the situation, Wiutrich kicked the ball but it touched the goalpost. Mamuka Khobakhidze did his best and saved the situation.
Situation complicated when Tarkhinshvili and Cuber kicked but both of the goalkeepers, Burki and Makaradze managed to save the situations.
It was evident that Georgian defensive line had difficulties, when Swiss team was making combinations. But is has to mention that Swiss team was not distinguished with their fantasy while making combinations. Dzalamidze who should be leader of Georgian team did not play good match yesterday, but it is obvious that he can play well.
In the second half the Swiss activated and gained advantage. Chedia’s substitutions did not satisfy expectations. Giorgi Ioseliani was more active than Ivane Kandelaki, but his playing could not manage to active team. Kobalia was distinguished among Georgians with his devotion.
In a word, Swiss team could not manage to surprise us with something and that’s why this failure is more pitiful. As far as you know, in the previous qualifying round Georgia and Switzerland were in the same group and played draw (0:0) in Tbilisi. That match was better than yesterday’s one.
U-21. Qualifying match of European championship.
7.10. 21:00. Tbilisi. "Mikheil Meskhi". 3000 spectators
Georgia- Switzerland 0:1 (0:0)
Georgia: Makaridze, Kandelaki (Ioseliani 72), Kverkvelia, Kobakhidze, Khocholava, Tarkhnishvili, Kvekveskiri, Dzalamidze (Lekvetadze 77), Chanturia (Kazaishvili 66), Shekiladze, Kobalia.
Head coach: Soso Chedia.
Switzerland: Burki, Pilippe Kochi, Daprela, Rafael Kochi, Afolter, Bufi (Shaka 89), Wiutrich, Wis (Seferovic 46), Ben Khalifa (Toko 80), Cuber, Kasam.
Head coach: Pier Luij Tami.
Goal: 0:1 Afolter(56).
Yellow cards: Bufi(13), Kandelaki (23), Chanturia (44), Kverkvelia (53), Burki (90).
Referee: Kostadinov(Bulgaria).
The schedule of V group
1. Spain 3 3 0 0 11:2 9
2. Switzerland 3 2 1 0 5:0 7
3. Georgia4 1 0 3 3:10 3
4. Estonia 1 0 1 0 0:0 1
5. Croatia 3 0 0 3 0:7 0
Ilia Nanobashvili
