It is a great start – perhaps, someone could hardly imagine that the team of Otar Gabelia could beat Croatians in the match of Euro qualifying 2013. But Georgians managed to do it and they took the first 3 points.
Before leaving for Croatia, head coach of Georgian U-21 team stated that they wanted to win but one point would also satisfy them. Ivo Susak, head coach of the hosts, who also trained Georgian national football team and “Dinamo” Tbilisi mentioned that they should not lose points at home but Croatians could do nothing after the first received goal.
The guests scored goal of victory at the 5th minute when Tornike Tarkhnishvili, midfielder of “Torpedo” Kutaisi, shot the ball from 22-23 meters.
Susak made two substitutes after the first half but Croatians could not change the situation. Susak stated on May 13 in Tbilisi that they were considered as favorites but they should have proved that on the pitch. Another thing was proved in Dugopolje – 0:1.
After the match, Georgian coach Otar Gabelia made such comment for “World Sport”:
“It was raining and we found it hard to play. Boys did their best and fought till the end. Besides the scored goal, we have 2-3 goal moments”.
- Which player or the line can you name as the best?
- I can name the whole team as the best. Everyone worked hard and fought.
- What impression did you have on Croatian team?
- It is a very good team but our team is also good. The boys fought till the end. We won at the expense of discipline.
Croatia – Georgia 0:1
June 3. Croatia. Dugopolje. “Hrvatski Vitezovi”.
Croatia: Kalinic, Celiak (Sliskovic, 68), Pavlovic, Kelic, Iozinovic, Adem, Vujicevic, Trebotic (Ticinovic, 46), Vukusic (cap), Lendric (Kovacevic, 46), Cop.
Head coach: Ivo Susak
Georgia: Makaridze (cap), Jishkariani, Kakubava, Kvirkvelia, Apakidze, Kazaishvili, Tarkhnishvili, Kvekveskiri, Shekiladze (Ioseliani, 64), Dzalamidze (Jigauri, 90), Mchedlidze.
Head coach: Otar Gabelia
Goal: 0:1 Tarkhnishvili (5)
Yellow cards: Iozinovic (7), Kvekveskiri (23), Celiak (42), Vukusic (45+2), Jishkariani (72), Mchedlidze (83).
Referee: Ilias Spatas (Greece)
Lasha Tabagari
