| Georgia 4-1 South Africa |
| Georgia started their preparations for the EURO 2004 qualifiers will an emphatic win over World Cup finalists South Africa in Tbilisi. Georgia were without many first team players including: Shota Arveladze, Archil Arveladze, Kakha Kaladze, Georgi Kinkladze, Levan Tskitishvili, Georgi Nemsadze, Zurab Khizanishvili and Mikhail Kavelashvili but they still managed to defeat South Africa easily. Chivadze had named an inexperienced line-up for the match with Dinamo Tbilisi players Alexander Amisulashvili making his debut, Georgi Shashiashvili winning only his 3rd cap and midfielder Vitali Daraselia coming off the bench to win his first cap. Georgia started the game at a quick tempo and were awarded a penalty after only ten minutes when Aaron Mokoena pushed Lokomotiv Moscow forward Georgi Demetradze down in the box. Levan Kobiashvili duly stepped up to convert the spot-kick. Demetradze continued to torment the South African defence who quite simply couldn't cope with his pace and skill. Dinamo Tbilisi's Lado Burduli and Gocha Jamarauli were controling the midfield and South Africa's tempers began to fray. South Africa suffered a further blow just two minutes later when Manyatela was dismissed after a scuffle with the ubiquitous Demetradze. Georgia took full advantage of the extra man after 33 minutes by doubling their lead when Demetradze chipped delightfully over visiting keeper Hans Vonk following a strong run and pass fromTemuri Ketsbaia. Georgia had further chances to extend their lead before the break with Ketsbaia going close and Alexander Iashvili twice missing from close range. The second period began little better for South Africa when Molefe became their second player to be sent off following a tackle from behind on Alexander Amisulashvili Georgia paid for their missed chances when South Africa surprisingly stirred themselves to pull a goal back on 69 minutes when substitute Delron Buckley, who plays for German side FC Bochum, beat Georgia goalkeeper David Gvaramadze with a speculative 25 yard shot into the top corner Georgia coach Alexander Chivadze was not impressed with David Gvaramadze's attempts at saving the shot and immediately replaced in goal with Georgi Chanturia of Dinamo Batumi who won his 3rd cap for the national team. Georgia regained their sense of urgency and it was no surprise when the outstanding Demetradze crossed for Chelsea forward Rati Aleksidze to head home. Demetradze then provided the icing on the cake when he beat several players to go one on one with Vonk to complete the scoring with a low shot into the bottom corner after 85 minutes. Georgia coach Alexander Chivadze will be extremly happy with the way his experimental side played. Edik Sajaia again impressed with his forward runs from right back and Lado Burduli had a very impressive first half alongside the experienced Gocha Jamarauli. Georgi Demetradze played his best game for Georgia and will now have given Chivadze a headache as to who to pick for the two forward positions for the Ukraine match on April 17th. Teams: Georgia: David Gvaramadze 6 (Georgi Chanturia 71, 6), Levan Kobiashvili 7, Georgi Shashiashvili 6, Alexander Rekhviashvili 8, Edik Sajaia 7 (Valeri Abramidze 77, 6), Lado Burduli 8 (Revaz Kemoklidze 46, 6), Alexander Amisulashvili 7, Gocha Jamarauli 8, Temuri Ketsbaia 8 (Vitali Daraselia 46, 6), **Georgi Demetradze** 9, Alexander Iashvili 7 (Rati Aleksidze 81, 7) South Africa: Hans Vonk, Aaron Mokoena, Thabang Molefe, Bradley Carnell, Matthew Booth, Macbeth Sibaya, Quinton Fortune (Derlon Buckley 46), Lesley Manyatela, Bennet Mnquni, Tebeho Mokoena, Siyabonga Nomvete Red Cards: Lesley Manyatela 22, Thabang Molefe 51 (South Africa) Yellow Cards: Lesley Manyatela 7, Quinton Fortune 44 (South Africa) Georgi Demetradze 88 (Georgia) Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Andrey Shandor (Ukraine) Pictures: |
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| Alexander Rekhviashvili battles with South Africa's Siyabonga Nomvete |
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| Demetradze is fouled by a South African Defender |
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| Alexander Iashvili goes inside South Africa's Aaron Mokoena |
| Iashvili goes past a South African defender |
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| Temuri Ketsbaia dribbles in the box |
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| Sajaia, Demetradze and Burduli watch on as Hans Vonk gathers the ball |
| Kobiashvili, 10pen Demetradze, 33, 86 Aleksidze, 83 |
| Buckley, 69 |