Blackout postpones Georgia game
Saturday, October 12, 2002
Article summary
Georgia's Group 10 match with Russia was postponed following floodlight failure in Tbilisi.
Article body
Blackout strikes
The blackout occurred five minutes before the interval but when the lights returned and the first half was completed, it appeared that the game was back on track. However, no sooner had the players left the pitch – with neither side having scored – there was a second power failure, which was later blamed on faulty electrical circuits.
'Ready for replay'
"It is just unfortunate - it is the first time this has happened here in Tbilisi," said Vyacheslav Koloskov, president of the Football Union of Russia (RFS). UEFA will decide on the replay date after talks with both associations.
Georgia on top
In the 45 minutes contested, Russia started the stronger, stroking the ball around in midfield in search of an opening but the hosts, spurred on by their vociferous support, eventually took charge.
Missed chances
Shota Arveladze's through-ball for Levan Kobiashvili was dangerously close to paying off while Aleksandr Iashvili should have done better when he went clean through but wasted the opportunity.
