[Jazz 16]

Georgia 1-2 Republic of Ireland


The Republic of Ireland got their World Cup qualifying campaign off to a good start
as they held on to beat Georgia.

Kevin Doyle headed the Republic ahead on 13 minutes in the game played at the
neutral venue of Mainz in Germany.

Despite the Republic's dominance, Alexander Iashvili should have headed Georgia
level before half-time.

A blunder by keeper Giorgi Loria gifted the second goal to Glenn Whelan on 70
minutes and the Republic claimed the points despite Levan Kenia's late goal.

It wasn't a perfect performance but manager Giovanni Trapattoni will be happy
with the result in his first competitive game in charge.

Stephen Hunt was fortunate to escape at least a yellow card early on after a
studs-up challenge which caught AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze flush on the shin.

The Republic had their first half-chance on five minutes after Doyle charged at the
Georgian defence but full-back Ucha Lobjanidze got across to cover.

Kenia was the provider for Iashvili with 10 minutes gone when he picked him out
on the edge of the area but the striker dragged his left-foot shot across Shay Given's goal.


However, the Republic took the lead three minutes later after a neat move with
the impressive Steven Reid and Robbie Keane both involved before McGeady
delivered a great cross for Doyle to head home.

It might have been 2-0 within three minutes but goalkeeper Giorgi Loria, who had
come from his line to clear Stephen Hunt's free-kick, did well to parry Glenn
Whelan's well-struck follow-up.



The Georgian goalkeeper then did well to block Reid's drilled free-kick as the
Republic continued to press.


But after dominating the opening half hour, Giovanni Trapattoni's side started to
become slack in the 15 minutes before half-time as the Irish began to give the ball away.

Alexander Iashvili shot well wide from a promising position in the 33rd minute as
the Republic started to look vulnerable.

Their lead almost evaporated within seconds when Iashvili was left unmarked to
head over from pointblank range after a Kenia corner.

John O'Shea missed a glorious chance to add to the Republic's lead six minutes
after the break when he headed McGeady's corner over from pointblank range.


A dreadful backpass by Kaladze then gave Robbie Keane a great opportunity on
56 minutes but the Liverpool striker's shot from a tight angle hit the woodwork,
with McGeady wide with the rebound.

The Georgians then had good 10-minute spell and both the heroic Kevin Kilbane,
wearing a protective mask to protect his fractured cheekbone, and Richard Dunne
were forced to make vital clearances.

But the Republic's nerves were eased when Loria's dreadful blunder allowed
Whelan's speculative shot to squirm through his grasp and into the net on 70th minutes.

The Republic had a scare with eight minutes left after a mistake by substitute Paul
McShane before Dunne cleared.

Kenia pulled a goal back for Georgia in the second minute of injury time but the
Irish held on to claim the three points and leave the squad in good heart for
Wednesday's second qualifier in Montenegro.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Georgia: Loria, Lobjanidze, Kaladze, Shashiashvili, Kenia, Aleksidze (Siradze 62),
Iashvili (Mchedlidze 77), Kobiashvili, Khizanishvili (Asatiani 83), Odikadze,
Menteshashvili. Subs: Makaridze, Salukvadze, Siradze, McHedlidze, Asatiani,
Mchedildze.


Republic of Ireland: Given, Finnan (McShane 80), O'Shea, Dunne, Kilbane,
McGeady (87), S Reid, Whelan, Hunt, Keane, Doyle (Miller 77). Subs: Kiely, A Reid,
Miller, McShane, Delaney, Keogh, Murphy.

[eoininho]

Pleased enough with that performance, we had a shape and every1 knew what their job was, held possession well at times but lost it unnecessarily at others...

I find it difficult to understand why Miller was brought on and not Andy Reid...

Good start, hopefully a win against Montenegro on Wednesday and we'll be in a good position!

[Jazz 16]

yeah, we need to keep it going. We looked solid, organised and played some
nice stuff. There are a few injury worries which are a concern: Give, Hunt
and Doyle l have knocks so hopefully they will be alright.
Montenegro had a great draw against Bulgaria so they wont be a pushover.

[abojodeh]

Ireland > England

[Jazz 16]

Originally Posted by abojodeh

Ireland > England

lol Abo, now your talking sense

[eoininho]

Originally Posted by abojodeh

Ireland > England

Funny that you're not far wrong! England are desperate for a Midfield player like Andy Reid or Stephen Ireland... we're also desperate for Stephen Ireland!!

Regarding tonight, a win would be a magnificant result... I believe our group contains the most difficult 'minnows' Cyprus aint a bad team, and Montenegro wont have experienced a campaign before so they wont have the losing mentality the Andorra's and San Marino's of the world have...

I'm actually half worried about tonight, I really dont expect an easy game.. we should only play one winger and get Andy Reid in pulling the strings in midfield

I fancy this to be the way we line up

.......................Given

Finnan.... Dunne.... O'Shea.... Kilbane

...... Whelan ............ Reid ..........

............A. Reid (Dropping Deep)..............McGeady (Switching Wings)

...........Keane ............. Doyle

Hunt can come on in the second half and do what he does best... i dont believe he should start.. much more effective off the bench!

[VaVaVoom]

Come on the boys in Green
A win here would be a brill result and put us in a good position!

[VaVaVoom]

John O' Shea is playing center defence!
He is like a mountain back there, never seen him play so well
Teams will find it hard to score against us with him and Dunne there!
Thats what we needed, solid defence

[Jazz 16]

- 4/6 points is a great return for 2 away games.
-Delighted with performance. We were the better team and deserved to win.
-Back 4 were immense. Special shout out to our John O'Shea who looked very
assured as an international centre back. We should be delighted he is a United squad member.
- Given made a cracking save. World class keeper.

-Glenn Whelan-MOTM- what a performance. He is our Gattuso as Trappers has said.
Why Stoke dont play him is mind boggling.
-Stephen Reid- Been amazing in both games even though he had a knock in this
game. His passing, tackling, strength and attitude are a great bonus for Ireland.

-Our set pieces were rubbish and thats why I think Andy Reid should have
played a part tonight, even for the last 20/25 mins instead of Hunt who lost
the ball far too often.

-McGeady had a great chance and on a whole we deserved the win but there
are an awful lot of positives to take out of the game. We looked very solid and will
be hard to break down. Our centre mids and shape have been spot on.
Trappers is earning his money.

-Cmon you boys in Green, bring on anyone. World Cup here we come.

[thekeanefella]

great result. 4 points not bad at all.

andy reid needs to get a chance, he can be the difference between winning or getting a draw, especially from set pieces.
stephen ireland would be an awesome addition, but the guy needs to sort himself out.
he is doing his country a disservice.

2010.......come on ireland.............