' OPPOSITION - ONES TO WATCH '
Sun Oct 09, 2016 10:48 am
Opposition ones to watch: Georgia
Sunday October 9th
Georgia’s squad will be relatively unknown to both the Wales players and supporters but they will be no push overs and are capable of causing an upset on their day.
Most of their players are based in Eastern Europe and are known for being hard to break down. We take a look at some of their underrated players ahead of Sunday’s game at the Cardiff City Stadium
Giorgi Loria
The 6ft 5 shot stopper is firmly established as Georgia’s number one. He has 36 caps to his name and is experienced on the international stage.
The 30-year-old currently plays his club football with Russian Premier League side Krylia Sovetov. He has played regularly since joining the club in 2015.
Loria enjoyed a hugely successful spell with his first club Dinamo Tbilisi where he won both the Georgian League and Cup on three occasions. He then moved to OFI Crete in Greece where he impressed earning himself a move to Greek champions Olympiacos in 2015.
Chelsea were reportedly linked with a move for Loria in 2015 after Thibaut Courtois got injured at the start of the season.
Solomon Kvirkvelia
The centre back is one of five Georgia players that plays his club football in the Russian Premier League. Kvirkvelia is one of the mainstays of Rubin Kazan’s defence and is no stranger to playing on the “big stage” after featuring in both Champions League and Europa League matches for his club side.
The 24-year-old made his international debut against Liechtenstein in March 2014 and has since gone on to win 17 caps for his country.
Jano Ananidze
The Spartak Moscow attacking midfielder can be a dangerous player on his day and was identified as one of Georgia’s key players by Iker Casillas ahead of Spain’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Georgia.
In 2009, Ananidze became the youngest player to score in the Russian Premier League at the age of just 17 years and 8 days old. He has scored 12 goals in 93 appearances for Spartak Moskow since making his professional debut in 2009.
The 23-year-old made his international debut against Italy in 2009 and now has 33 caps to his name. He scored against Austria in September in the first round of 2018 World Cup qualifying games.
Levan Mchedlidzie
Mchedlidzie made his international debut at the age of 17 despite only making two first team appearances for his club prior to winning his first cap. He scored against Scotland in a Euro 2008 qualifying match in what was just his second international game.
Shortly after, the 26 year-old moved to Serie A club Empoli in 2007 who he remains with to the current day. He is not the most prolific striker as he has only managed to score 11 goals in 129 games for the Italian club. He won his 30th international cap against the Republic of Ireland on Thursday.
Star Man – Tornike Okriashvili
The midfielder scored what was arguably Georgia’s most significant goal ever to claim a 1-0 win against Spain in a friendly ahead of the Euro’s this summer. The 24-year-old has scored seven goals for his country and has won32 caps since making his debut in 2010.
Okriashvili joined Russian side Kuban Krasnador this summer from Belgian club Genk. He has also had spells with Gagra in Georgia and Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine.
http://insidecardiffcity.co.uk/oppositi ... h-georgia/
Sunday October 9th
Georgia’s squad will be relatively unknown to both the Wales players and supporters but they will be no push overs and are capable of causing an upset on their day.
Most of their players are based in Eastern Europe and are known for being hard to break down. We take a look at some of their underrated players ahead of Sunday’s game at the Cardiff City Stadium
Giorgi Loria
The 6ft 5 shot stopper is firmly established as Georgia’s number one. He has 36 caps to his name and is experienced on the international stage.
The 30-year-old currently plays his club football with Russian Premier League side Krylia Sovetov. He has played regularly since joining the club in 2015.
Loria enjoyed a hugely successful spell with his first club Dinamo Tbilisi where he won both the Georgian League and Cup on three occasions. He then moved to OFI Crete in Greece where he impressed earning himself a move to Greek champions Olympiacos in 2015.
Chelsea were reportedly linked with a move for Loria in 2015 after Thibaut Courtois got injured at the start of the season.
Solomon Kvirkvelia
The centre back is one of five Georgia players that plays his club football in the Russian Premier League. Kvirkvelia is one of the mainstays of Rubin Kazan’s defence and is no stranger to playing on the “big stage” after featuring in both Champions League and Europa League matches for his club side.
The 24-year-old made his international debut against Liechtenstein in March 2014 and has since gone on to win 17 caps for his country.
Jano Ananidze
The Spartak Moscow attacking midfielder can be a dangerous player on his day and was identified as one of Georgia’s key players by Iker Casillas ahead of Spain’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Georgia.
In 2009, Ananidze became the youngest player to score in the Russian Premier League at the age of just 17 years and 8 days old. He has scored 12 goals in 93 appearances for Spartak Moskow since making his professional debut in 2009.
The 23-year-old made his international debut against Italy in 2009 and now has 33 caps to his name. He scored against Austria in September in the first round of 2018 World Cup qualifying games.
Levan Mchedlidzie
Mchedlidzie made his international debut at the age of 17 despite only making two first team appearances for his club prior to winning his first cap. He scored against Scotland in a Euro 2008 qualifying match in what was just his second international game.
Shortly after, the 26 year-old moved to Serie A club Empoli in 2007 who he remains with to the current day. He is not the most prolific striker as he has only managed to score 11 goals in 129 games for the Italian club. He won his 30th international cap against the Republic of Ireland on Thursday.
Star Man – Tornike Okriashvili
The midfielder scored what was arguably Georgia’s most significant goal ever to claim a 1-0 win against Spain in a friendly ahead of the Euro’s this summer. The 24-year-old has scored seven goals for his country and has won32 caps since making his debut in 2010.
Okriashvili joined Russian side Kuban Krasnador this summer from Belgian club Genk. He has also had spells with Gagra in Georgia and Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine.
http://insidecardiffcity.co.uk/oppositi ... h-georgia/
Re: ' OPPOSITION - ONES TO WATCH '
Sun Oct 09, 2016 2:12 pm
I wonder if it could be a 0.0 draw? They are capable in defence and we are not at full strength. We cant win them all and im wondering if they are going to park the bus and try to catch us on the break. 
Hope im wrong but I have a feeling this wont be the easy ride many probably think it will be.
Hope im wrong but I have a feeling this wont be the easy ride many probably think it will be.