“Dinamo” Tbilisi hosted “Gabala” of Azerbaijan in Europa League first qualifying round. It turned out to be an interesting match. “Dinamo” managed to gain advantage before the second leg.

The both teams had a chance to score goal in the first half. The hosts were very active at the beginning of the first half. Giorgi Papunashvili had a real chance of scoring a goal but Bezotosniy made a save.

In the middle of the first half Florescu kicked the ball and Lasha Totadze saved his team from goal. The first half finished a scoreless draw.

The second half turned out to be more interesting than the first one. The Azerbaijani players possessed the ball at the beginning of the second half. However, “Gabala” could not make dangerous moments. At the 50^th minute Gvelesiani was shown a red card and “Dinamo” was left with 10 players.

Gia Geguchadze had to change a tactic. Defender Rene Santos replaced forward Kiteishvili. Before this substitution, “Gabala” scored a goal but referee annulled the goal due to foul in offence.

Aleksandre Iashvili replaced Kvilitaia and Geguchadze’s plan paid off.

At the 65^th minute Jigauri scored a goal. Aleksandre Iashvili had another chance to score goal in a minute but the goalkeeper parried the ball.

At the 74^th minute Huseynov scored a very beautiful goal – 1:1.

“Dinamo” made an effort on goal and at the 83^rd minute Papunashvili scored a goal – 2:1. It must be noted that Papunashvili was the best player of the match.

Next week “Dinamo” will hold the second leg in Gabala.

“Dinamo” (Tbilisi) – “Gabala” (Azerbaijan) 2:1 (0:0)

July 2. Tbilisi. “Dinamo Arena”, 7 000 spectators

“Dinamo” (4-2-3-1): Hrdlicka, Tvildiani, Gvelesiani, Chelidze, Totadze (cap.), Tsintsadze, Jigauri; Papunashvili, Kiteishvili (Rene Santos 53), Chanturishvili (Parunashvili 77); Kvilitaia (Iashvili 61)

Head coach: Gia Geguchadze

“Gabala” (4-2-3-1): Bezotosniy; Florescu (Sadygov 71), Huseynov (cap.), Gai; Ricardinho, Dashdemirov (Dodo 73), Vernydub, Abbasov, Rafael, Antonov; Zenjov

Head coach: Roman Hrygorchuk

Goals: 1:0 Jigauri (64), 1:1 Huseynov (74), 2:1 Papunashvili (83)

Yellow cards: Florescu (35), Vernydub (68), Iashvili (80)

Sent-off: Gvelesiani (50)

Referee: Roi Reinshreiber (Israel)