Toppmöller growing on Georgia

Young team
David Siradze scored the only goal at the Boris Paichadze stadium in Tbilisi on Wednesday night, as despite being without key players like Kakha Kaladze, Malkhaz Asatiani and Levan Kobiashvili, a young Georgia team succeeded in ruining what was Tugay Kerimoğlu's final appearance for Turkey.

Proved right
For Toppmöller, it was a moment of vindication after some difficult days. "Ever since I was appointed I kept saying that this team has huge potential, but it needs time," said the former Bayer 04 Leverkusen boss. "I have been proved right. Today I can say that, by and large, our team is built."

Previous meetings
Success came at the fourth time of asking for Georgia, who have been longing for a win against Turkey ever since losing 3-0 in a friendly against their Black Sea rivals in 2002. Georgia subsequently earned a point against Turkey with a 1-1 FIFA World Cup qualifying draw in Trabzon, before Alain Giresse's men were humiliated in the return fixture, crashing 5-2 at home.

Terim impressed
On this occasion, however, Georgia got their revenge, with Turkey coach Fatih Terim admitting Toppmöller's side had done brilliantly. "Georgia left a magnificent impression," said Terim. "I congratulate Toppmöller, who in a short period has created a battling and very interesting team."

Wilting confidence
The 55-year-old Toppmöller kicked off as Georgia coach with a 6-0 UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying victory in the Faroe Islands last August, before defeats against France, Ukraine and Italy dented his squad's confidence. It took a 2-0 triumph against Uruguay in November - in which Siradze made his debut - to lift them again.

Siradze thrilled
"I am happy to have scored the winner against Turkey," said the 25-year-old FC Erzgebirge Aue midfielder. "I was first called up for the match against Uruguay and we played well and won. Toppmöller has done a very thorough job. He is an excellent coach. We played without some very important players and still showed cohesion."

Scotland next
Buoyed by beating Turkey, Toppmöller will now hope to see his team in full flow in their next qualifier, in Scotland on 24 March. "The win against Turkey and the quality of our performance allows me to say that we will travel to Glasgow for all three points," the German said. "We have learned to play without our leaders, but I hope that by the time we face Scotland they will be back to make us even stronger."