Georgia round-up: Dinamo back on top
Sunday, March 23, 2003
Article summary
FC Dinamo Tbilisi took advantage of a slip by FC Torpedo Kutaisi to reclaim first place in the Premier League.
Article body
Dinamo charge
Dinamo's 3-1 home win against FC WIT Georgia Tbilisi took them a point clear of Torpedo, who could only draw with FC Kolkheti-1913 Poti. Vitali Daraselia was the Dinamo hero with two goals at the Boris Paichadze stadium, while David Kvirkvelia added a third. Levan Melkadze struck for a consolation effort for the visitors.
Torpedo mis-fire
But there was only frustration for Torpedo in neutral Tskaltubo, where their home match against Kolkheti-1913 was played. With coach Olexandr Shtelin serving a one-match touchline ban, the defending champions failed to find a way through the opposition, who had been reduced to ten men by Kakhaber Gorozia's sending-off.
Lokomotivi derailed
Elsewhere in the championship pool, FC Lokomotivi Tbilisi fell to a shock 2-1 defeat by FC Sioni Bolnisi. Despite the third-minute lead given them by Iuri Gabiskiria, Lokomotivi were undone by second-half goals from Roin Oniani and Levan Shavgulidze. They might have rescued a point but Teimuraz Volkov denied Alexander Kaidarashvili from the penalty spot.
Mixed bag
In the relegation pool, FC Merani-91 Tbilisi beat FC Metalurgi Zestaponi 4-0, FC Dinamo Batumi had a 2-0 victory against bottom club FC Milani Tsnori, while FC Dila Gori drew 0-0 with FC Gorda 2000 Rustavi.
