BIG MATCH DOSSIER
STRENGTHS
THEY don’t particularly like us. The Georgian Football Federation have never forgotten, nor forgiven, the FAI for exerting pressure on FIFA to force them to give up home advantage in the first qualifier for the 2010 World Cup. The war between Russia and Georgia over disputed Ossetia territory in the north of the country was short-lived but the FAI stood firm and FIFA caved in. The match was switched to Mainz, Germany, and Georgia lost all hope of beginning their campaign on a positive footing, as they were beaten 2-0. Since then, they have relished hosting Ireland on their own Tbilisi turf. In 2014, Ireland needed a last-gasp moment of brilliance from Aiden McGeady to secure a 2-1 win, while in 2017, Georgia bossed possession as Ireland clung on for a 1-1 draw. They will take great pleasure in putting Ireland to the sword tonight. As a plus, they topped their Nations League group last year are recently held Denmark to a scoreless draw here last month.
WEAKNESSES
Kinkladze, Kalazde, Ketsbia. There was a time when Georgia’s ranks were dappled by a star name or two, playing for big European clubs. Not now. Their squad is dotted around Europe’s mid-division leagues with a brace based in the MLS with San Jose Earthquakes. Of their last 16 competitive games, they have won just once, against Gibraltar in June. Should Ireland strike first, self-belief may start to seep as they have a poor winning record against higherseeded teams. Even so, Mick McCarthy doesn’t buy the line they are pushovers. ‘They play 4-2-3-1, are a well-drilled big, powerful team with good technical players. ‘We watched their game against Denmark and they grew into it in the second half, when they took the game to the Danes and could have won it.’
ONE TO WATCH
GIORGI LORIA AGE: 33 POSITION: Goalkeeper CLUB: Anorthosis Famagusta CAPS/GOALS: 53/0 NOTES: The longest-serving player in the squad was there in Mainz in 2008, where he allowed a long-range effort from Glenn Whelan squirm past him. Now 33, he remains the senior goalkeeper and has started all five Euro qualifiers. Against the Danes last month, he twice denied Martin Braithwaite in the first half to keep Georgia in the game.
MANAGER
VLADIMIR WEISS An old adversary of Ireland, Weiss was in charge of Slovakia when they played us in the Euro 2012 qualifiers. Both games ended in draws, 1-1 in Zilina, where Robbie Keane had a penalty saved, and 0-0 at the Aviva. Vastly experienced, Bratislava-born Weiss has been in charge of Georgia since March 2016 and is the second longest-serving manager of the national team, with the second best win percentage. He got very close to claiming Ireland’s scalp here in September 2017. Weiss’ father and son were both professional footballers and they all share the same name.
FLASHBACK
1985 World Youths finals This was Ireland’s first involvement in a major final under Liam Tuohy, with Brian Kerr as his No2. Tuohy’s plans were disrupted by withdrawals of key players before the tournament – Niall Quinn among them.
All three group games were played in Tbilisi and Ireland were on the receiving end each time, losing to Brazil (2-1), Saudi Arabia (1-0) and Spain (4-2). Ireland’s goal-scorers were Aaron Tuite, Brian Mooney and Pat Kelch.
RECENT FORM
GEORGIA 23/3/19 Euros v Switzerland (away), Lost 2-0 26/3/19 Euros v Rep of Ireland (away), Lost 1-0 7/6/19 Euros v Gibraltar (home), Won 3-0 10/6/19 Euros v Denmark (away), Lost 5-1 5/9/19 Friendly v South Korea (Istanbul), Drew 2-2 8/9/19 Euros v Denmark (home), Drew 0-0.
Previous meetings between Ireland and Georgia: Played 11, Ireland won 10, drew one, lost none.