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Georgia win it for Zhordania

Georgia 3-0 Albania Georgia triumph in Group 10 in Merab Zhordania's first game in charge.

Georgia leapfrogged Albania in Group 10 with a 3-0 win in Merab Zhordania's first game in charge.

Bright start
Two goals from Rangers FC striker Shota Arveladze helped the Georgian Football Federation president, who has taken temporary charge of the national team, get off to a perfect start with a 3-0 win against Hans-Peter Briegel's Albania in UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying Group 10.

Georgia quick off the blocks
It only took the lively Arveladze eight minutes to open the scoring as he broke through the Albania defence and blazed past goalkeeper Fotaq Strakosha. Nine minutes later, Georgia were two up as Mikhail Ashvetia collected a pass from Alexandre Iashvili and beat Strakosha.

Sublime move
Albania looked overwhelmed by the energetic home side and the game was all over as a contest after 43 minutes when Arveladze scored his second and Georgia's third on the night. The Rangers forward put the finishing touch on a sublime move involving Ashvetia, Iashvili and Goach Jamarauli.

Revenge mission
The margin could have been even bigger but Arveladze and Iashvili wasted numerous chances in the second half. However, Albania's German coach and his side will get a chance to avenge this defeat sooner rather than later as the two teams meet again on Wednesday.

Georgia on their way up
The victory lifts Georgia from the bottom of Group 10 as they now have seven points from six games. They are one point ahead of Albania - who have five points from their seven matches - and only one adrift of Russia, who drew 1-1 with the Republic of Ireland in Saturday's other Group 10 game.