No goals for Georgia and Montenegro
Wednesday 1 April 2009
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Georgia's Aleksandr Kvakhadze (left) vies with Montenegro's Stevan Jovetić (©Getty Images)
Defences dominated at the Boris Paichadze Stadium in Tbilisi with both Georgia and Montenegro still awaiting their first win in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 8.
Poleksić save
Without three suspended first-choice defenders – Ucha Lobjanidze, Zurab Khizanishvili and Georgi Shashiashvili – Georgia coach Héctor Cúper handed 21-year-old Guram Kashia his international debut, and the patched-together rearguard performed well enough, with goalkeeper Georgi Lomaia rarely troubled. However, the hosts lacked bite going forward, with Levan Kobiashvili's free-kick drawing the only significant save of the opening period from Montenegro's Vukašin Poleksić.
Thorough defending
The second half brought little improvement for either side, with Georgia playmaker Aleksandr Iashvili kept well marshaled by Montenegro, leaving lone striker striker Beka Gotsiridze an isolated presence up front. Montenegro also failed to threaten, with Stevan Jovetić booked for simulation after he was adjudged to have dived in order to earn a free-kick. Iashvili was booked for a similar offence later on. Montenegro's next qualifier is away against Cyprus on 6 June, while Georgia host Italy on 5 September.
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