Kakhi Makharadze (left) blocking the way for Andre Schembri. Photos: Paul Zammit CutajarKakhi Makharadze (left) blocking the way for Andre Schembri. Photos: Paul Zammit Cutajar

Georgia 2
Kankava 84; Kazaishvili 90;
Malta 0

Two very late goals handed Georgia a 2-0 win over Malta in a friendly international at the Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi, yesterday.

The Maltese produced a solid all-round display that frustrated Georgia for most of the match and it had to be a controversial goal from Jaba Kankava that broke the visitors’ resistance before substitute Valeri Kazaishvili wrapped up the win with a fine strike.

Despite the defeat, Malta coach Pietro Ghedin still had some positives to take ahead of Saturday’s Euro 2016 qualifier in Azerbaijan as the team was again deployed in a 5-3-2 formation.

Also, Alfred Effiong could be an ideal replacement in the absence of Michael Mifsud as the Qormi forward almost scored on his debut only to be denied by the woodwork.

Ghedin opted to give some much needed playing time to a few fringe players as Justin Haber started in goal ahead of Andrew Hogg while Steve Borg was back at the heart of a five-man defence after missing the last three Euro qualifiers through suspension.

Steve Bezzina was given the nod at left back in the absence of Clayton Failla, who is unavailable, while Andrew Cohen started in midfield ahead of Roderick Briffa not yet fully recovered from a minor injury.

As expected, it was Georgia who made all the early running and on 12 minutes Levan Mchedlidze teed up Tornike Okriashvili who was beaten to the ball by the alert Jonathan Caruana.

Two minutes later Okriashvili set up Mchedlidze whose shot was easily blocked by Haber.

Tornike Okriashvili, of Georgia, tackled from behind by Malta’s Bjorn Kristensen, yesterdayTornike Okriashvili, of Georgia, tackled from behind by Malta’s Bjorn Kristensen, yesterday

Malta threatened a minute later but Rowen Muscat’s long range shot was dealt with by Giorgi Loria, the Georgia keeper.

Okriashvili hit a firm drive from the edge of the area but Haber was alert to push the ball over the bar as the home side continued to boss proceedings.

However, for all their possession Georgia were rarely dangerous as Malta never lost shape.

On 32 minutes Kaki Mak-haradze nodded the ball into the path of Giorgi Chanturia whose effort rolled just wide and a minute before the interval Okriashvili’s effort was neutralised by Haber.

On the restart, Ghedin withdrew Ryan Camilleri for Zach Muscat who took a central defensive berth with Borg switching to right-back.

Georgia coach Kakha Tskha-dadze brought on former Valletta goalkeeper Nukri Revishvili for Loria while Levan Kenia replaced Solomon Kvirkvelia.

The Georgians maintained the initiative and on 56 minutes they were unlucky not to take the lead when Okriashvili saw his curling drive cannon off the bar with Haber beaten.

Ghedin unleashed Effiong and 12 minutes from time he was unlucky not to mark his first match for the national team with a goal when seeing his shot come off the upright after a perfect ball from Borg.

Instead of taking a one-goal lead Malta fell behind on 84 minutes as a dubious Georgia goal was allowed to stand.

From a free-kick, Kankava looked to have deviated the ball past Haber with his arm but the referee saw nothing untoward and waved away Malta’s claims of a handball.

Ghedin’s men lost composure and Georgia substitute Valeri Kazaishvili did well to break off his marker inside the box before driving his shot past Haber.

Georgia
G. Loria (46 N. Revishvili), G. Kashia, S. Kvirkvelia (46 L. Kenia), A. Amisulashvili, A. Kobakhidze (84 N. Dzalamidze), G. Navalovski, K. Makharadze, J. Kankava, G. Chanturia (63 V. Kazaishvili), T. Okriashvili (70 M. Vatsadze), L. Mchedlidze (70 B. Tskhadadze).

Malta
J. Haber, J. Caruana, S. Bezzina, S. Borg (89 R. Camenzuli), A. Agius, J.P. Farrugia (60 A. Effiong), A. Cohen, R. Muscat, A. Schembri, R. Camilleri (46 Z. Muscat), B. Kristensen (70 M. Scerri).

Referee: Alexander Anufrijevs (Latvia).

Yellow cards: Borg, Kashia.

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