To tell the truth, this was a match between two favorites of National Championship. "Dinamo" and "Zestaponi" played better than any other Georgian clubs at European tournaments. They went through 2 rounds and fought in the 3rd one too.
Central match of the first round was worth watching. Everyone expected draw but midfielder of "Dinamo" Nika Pirtskhalava scored a goal.
Kacharava made changes in defense which was caused by returning Guram Kashia in the club. He, one of the best defenders, was going to continue his career abroad this summer. But somehow he could not manage to do it and he is still in his native club. Kashia and Gulverd Tomashvili were playing in defensive line, Levan Kakubava - on the right wing. Last season everything was different - Tomashvili was playing on the right wing and Kakubava - in the center. "Dinamo" scored a fast goal: at the 7th minute of the match Koshkadze attacked "Zestaponi" from right, passes the ball to Donald Juis who kicked it. Roin Kvaskhvadze parried the ball but Mate Vatsadze kicked it again and 1:0.
Soon after Vatsadze hurt his muscle and he had to leave the field. Vatsadze fell down while running. Let's hope that injury of this talented forward will not be serious. He has missed last three years because of injuries.
"Dinamo" could not keep the score for a long time: at the 17th minute, Kakha Aladashvili made a penalty kick, goalkeeper Giorgi Loria could not catch it and 1:1. "Zestaponi" was attacking for several minutes. Nika Gelashvili passed the ball to Shota Babunashvili who kicked it and Loria caught the ball.
Both clubs played equally and "Dinamo" could get advantage. At the 33rd minute Juis was one on one with the goalkeeper but he passed the ball to Giorgi Tekturmanidze. Kvaskhvadze played with hand and it seemed that penalty kick should have been awarded because there was a contact between the goalkeeper and the forward. After 2 minutes Brazilian player of "Dinamo" Robertinho shot the ball but Kvaskhvadze caught it.
"Zestaponi" was left with 10 players in the second half. Giorgi Khidesheli caught Jius with his T-shirt and the referee gave him a yellow card. "Dinamo" scored this penalty but the referee annulled the goal of Levan Kvaratskhelia - before Guram Kashia scored a goal with head, Kakubava caught Giorgi Oniani with his T-shirt. This was a debatable episode and the referee has a right to decide as he wants (we do not speak about Kvaratskhelia).
After this, Geguchadze took Gelashvili from the field and strengthened the defensive line. But we cannot say that "Dinamo" wanted to finish the match soon. They had advantage but could not use it. Robertinho was the most active player. He had a chance to score a goal twice but both episodes finished with corners. Head shooting of Mamuka Kobakhidze, defender of "Zestaponi" is worth mentioning but he missed it.
Kobakhidze recieved a red card as well as Khidesheli. Robertinho was attacking "Zestaponi" but Kobakhidze committed foul. The last penalty was so obviuos that no one complained about it.
Though this happened at the added time and the decisive goal had already been scored: Pirtskhalava shot the ball which was passed from left. No one can blame Kvaskhvadze, it was really a good shot.


After the match:
Gia Geguchadze: "It is a pity that we lost. The match was not held as we planned. Without 2 defenders in the next round? Somehow we will manage to change them".
Kakha Kacharava: "I think, this match was interesting. I am satisfied with playing of my team but it is not that what we want. It is difficult to play Georgian Championship after European tournaments. Maybe it is the reason that we could not play better. Injury of Vatsadze is not dangerous at first look but we will know everything tomorrow. Today was a good match. But we need good fields, good conditions for all these. There are some fields where it is impossible to play football.

15.08. Tbilisi. "National Stadium". 1 000 spectators
"Dinamo" (Tbilisi) - "Zestaponi" (Zestaponi) 2:1 (1:1).
"Dinamo": Loria, Kakubava, Tomashvili, Guram Kashia, Khmaladze, Ednilson, Tekturmanidze (Metreveli 66), Juis (Pirtskhalava 83), Koshkadze, Vatsadze (Kakhelishvili 14), Robertinho.
Head coach: Kakha Kacharava.
"Zestaponi": Roin Kvaskhvadze, Aladashvili, Giorgi Oniani, Eliava, Daushvili, Dzaria, Babunashvili (Kobakhidze 55), Aptsiauri (Tsinamdzgvrishvili 86), Dvali, Gelashvili (53).
Head coach: Gia Geguchadze.
Goals: 1:0 Vatsadze (7), 1:1 Aladashvili (17), 2:1 Pirtskhalava (90).
Yellow cards: Khidesheli (22), Juis (28), Oniani (36), Khidesheli (50), Kashia (71), Aladashvili (87).
Sent offs: Khidesheli (50), Kobakhidze (90+2).
Referee: Levan Kvaratskhelia.

Ilia Nanobashvili