Correlation of the matches between Georgian and Latvian national teams is the same. If Georgians had not received the goal 3 minutes before the end of the match, our mood would have been elevated. Cauna, midfielder of "Skonto" Riga, scored a goal at the first minute of the added time by Portuguese referee.
This goalshot was proceeded by a long assist of Klava from the center of the pitch and by a head assist of Gorkss. Everything happened so unexpectedly that Georgians who were prepared to celebrate their victory, "forgot" about forward, left in the middle of the penalty area. It would have been better if we had won but we did not lose, so, it is not a bad result.
After winning over Malta, Temur Ketsbaia changed the main staff. Gogua, Merebashvili and Dvalishvili were reserve players. Because of disqualification of Khizanishvili, Murtaz Dvalishvili who was the best Georgian player of the match played in the main staff.
In the first half, teams had one real moment to score goals. The hosts had a great chance to score a goal. Perhaps, unexpected "gift" of Georgian goalkeeper confused forward Rudnevs. Otherwise, Rudnevs who scored 3 goals against "Juventus" at Europa League a month ago, could not have found it difficult to score a goal from 10 meters. At the 36th minute, Rudnevs received the ball when after a strong shot of Laizans, Revishvili parried the ball.
Before this moment, Jano Ananidze attacked the goal of Latvian team from the right wing. He kicked the ball but Vanins jumped and parried the ball. Kvirkvelia tried to kick the ball in the empty goal but Ivanovs was the first to shoot the ball away.
The teams played more actively in the second half. At the 67th minute, after a long assist of Kobiashvili, Jano Ananidze who became 18 years old 2 days ago, kicked the ball toward the goal but missed it. Before Kvirkvelia was substituted, he attacked the hosts twice but could not manage to score a goal.
Georgians scored the first goal at the 69th minute but linesman signaled for offside. Before this moment, Daushvili kicked the ball strongly. Latvian goalkeeper managed to catch the ball.
After 2 minutes, the hosts had a chance to score the first goal of the match. 22-year-old forward Rudnevs who was in the penalty area of Georgian team received the ball. But he assisted it to Rubins. Rubins shot the ball but Revishvili caught it.
Davit Siradze scored a goal at the 74th minute. Jano Ananidze started this combination. First he took a free kick. Latvian goalkeeper parried the ball with his fists but Ucha Lobjanidze who was near the penalty area shot the ball with head so that Siradze needed only one touch - 0:1.
After this scored goal, Georgians were thinking about saving this result. Ketsbaia made some changes. He substituted forward Ananidze with defender Salukvadze.
Finally, Georgian defensive line made a mistake and Latvians scored a goal. Kakha Kaladze was 2 meters away from Cauna who scored the goal.
Anyway, Georgian team had a good start in qualifying round (6 points within first 4 rounds (2 wins)). Ketsbaia started building a new team where everyone - veterans and young players, has his place. Georgian players have to study more and of course, it is indubitable, that playing with good teams is a great experience.

Euro 2012 qualifying match
Latvia - Georgia 1:1 (0:0)
Riga, October 12, 2010. "Skonto", 3 000 spectators.
Latvia: Vanins, Klava, Astafjevs, Laizans (Grebis, 82), Ivanovs, Cauna, Rubins, Gorkss (cap), Zirnis, Rudnevs, Zigajevs (Pereplotkins, 86).
Head coach: Aleksandrs Starkovs.
Georgia: Revishvili, Lobjanidze, Asatiani, Amisulashvili, Kaladze (cap), Daushvili, Ananidze (Salukvadze, 79), Kvirkvelia (Gogua, 69), Kobiashvili, Iashvili (Koshkadze, 88), Siradze.
Head coach: Temur Ketsbaia.
Yellow cards: Klava (48), Gorkss (64), Siradze (75), Gogua (82), Revishvili (88).
Goals: 0:1 Siradze (74), 1:1 Cauna (90+1).
Shots in goal - 4:3; shots toward goal - 4:10; corner kicks - 4:3, free kicks - 16:11.
Referees: Jorj Souza, Joau Fereira Dus Santos, Joze Ramaliu, Brunu Paishau (all of them are from Portugal).


Tournament situation for October 13

Phridon Kervalishvili