Ten-man Georgia overwhelm Turkey
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
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Georgia 4-0 Turkey
The hosts emphatically ended Turkey's 100 per cent Group 2 record despite playing most of the second half in Zestaponi with ten men.
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Georgia emphatically ended Turkey's 100 per cent record in 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 2 with a 4-0 success in Zestaponi despite playing most of the second half with ten men.
Experienced players
Georgia opened their campaign with a 2-0 reverse in Estonia and coach Otar Gabelia responded by strengthening his squad with four players who have experience in the full national side – Amiran Sanaia, Levan Kenia, Jano Aananidze and Mate Vatsadze. They made the perfect start against a team who had won their first two qualifiers, Giorgi Ivanishvili scoring in the opening minute before Giorgi Khidesheli added a second. Despite Sanaia's sending off on 56 minutes, substitutes Lasha Totadze and Giorgi Gugava completed a resounding success for the hosts.
Ivanishvili opener
Turkey's troubles began from the off when Ivanishvili provided a precise finish to Irakli Klimiashvili's assist. Tunay Torun forced Roin Kvaskhvadze into a fine save at the other end, but Georgia doubled their lead on 35 minutes when Khidesheli headed in following a corner from Kenia. Sanaia was dismissed after 56 minutes for a foul on Serdar Aziz, yet incredibly the home side surged further clear, with Totadze and Gugava both beating Volkan Babacan.