Georgians hit the ground running
Thursday 2 March 2006
e-mail
Print
Digg
Save
Georgia celebrate scoring at the recent Malta tournament (©Domenic Aquilina, Malta)
The top two sides in Georgia have set a tremendous pace with emphatic wins in the first round of action after the winter break.
WIT triumph
Leaders FC WIT Georgia will spend another week at the top of the league after a 3-0 win against FC Kolkheti-1913 Poti, but second-placed FC Sioni Bolnisi - who are just one point off the top - secured an even more emphatic 4-0 win against FC Lokomotivi Tbilisi to underline their title credentials.
Martsvaladze moves
WIT are still fighting fit despite losing a number of prominent players during the winter, not least among them striker Otar Martsvaladze. The Georgian international impressed while on trial with Ukrainian giants FC Dynamo Kyiv and is expected to sign for the club in the near future.
Sioni action
Meanwhile, Sioni's bright start has helped mask turbulence behind the scenes, with Khvicha Kasrashvili having been replaced at the helm by former FC Dinamo Tbilisi coach Kakhaber Tskhadadze over the winter while a raft of senior players have left for pastures new.
New signings
With David Bolkvadze, Grigol Dolidze and Tengiz Chikviladze joining FC Ameri Tblisi while leading scorer Djaba Dvali and Georgi Kutsurua have returned to Dinamo, Sioni have signed Ukrainian forward Evgeni Lashuk, Irakli Sirbiladze from Lokomotivi and former FC Atyrau defender David Chichveishvili.
Chernyshov debut
With new Russian coach Andrei Chernyshov at the helm, Dinamo returned to action with a 1-0 win against FC Kakheti Telavi. During the winter the club brought in Brazilians Ambrosio and Vieira, former FC Torpedo Moskva player Anzor Kaladze and signed defender Georgi Shahsiashvili on loan from FC Alania Vladikavkaz.
Borjomi busy
Borjomi have also been signing foreign players with Argentinians Dario Sebale and Gonsalo Martin De Poras joining until the end of the season but they could not prevent the defeat against FC Dinamo Batumi which saw coach Soso Fruidze replaced by former FC Dila Gori and WIT boss Vladimer Khachidze.
Goalkeeping switch
Dinamo Batumi have signed a Brazilian of their own, Tiago, while Ameri's winter transfers saw them sign FC Zestafoni keeper Zurab Kvachakhie, with Mirza Bzhalava travelling in the other direction. Zestafoni have brought in former Lokomotivi custodian Gia Chanturia as their new No1.
Ukraine calls
Finally, one of Georgia's favourite sons, 26-year-old international defender Dato Kvirkvelia, has left Russian side FC Alania Vladikavkaz to join Ukraine's FC Metalurh Zaporizhya until the end of the season.
©uefa.com 1998-2008. All rights reserved.
