Georgia round-up: Torpedo rise above chaos
Monday, August 5, 2002
Article summary
FC Torpedo Kutaisi made a winning start to their title defence in one of few matches played.
Article body
Reduced weekend service
With four clubs in dispute with the Georgian Football Federation [GFF], Torpedo's game against FC WIT Georgia Tbilisi on Sunday was one of only three played.
Ionanidze fires Torpedo
However, Zurab Ionanidze's 15th-minute clincher brought an element of normality to proceedings and capped a dominant display by the home side.
Lokomotiv on track
On Saturday, FC Lokomotivi Tbilisi beat FC Dila Gori 3-0 with goals from Murtaz Burnadze, Zaza Janashia and Giorgi Balashvili, while today FC Dinamo Batumi played out a scoreless draw with FC Sioni Bolnisi at a neutral venue in Kobuleti.
No pay, no play
But the matches involving FC Merani-91 Tbilisi, FC Metalurgi Zestaponi, FC Milani Tsnori and FC Gorda 2000 Rustavi were not played after the clubs failed to meet the deadline for paying the league's €10,000 entry fee.