Georgia bank on Kaladze to frustrate Irish attack

GEORGIA will employ their top player, the inspirational Kaladze of AC Milan, in a central defensive position tonight at Lansdowne Road in an attempt to frustrate Ireland's quick-fire strikers.

Kaladze won a Champions' League medal with Milan at full-back and this is normally his position with Georgia as well.

But coach Ivo Shushak made it plain after last night's training session at Lansdowne Road that Kaladze was being charged with organising Georgia's defence.

Shushak took over at a difficult time for Georgia, replacing Alexander Chivadze immediately after Ireland's win in Tbilisi on March 29.

He won a special place in the hearts of Georgia's football family when he led the team to a 1-0 win over Russia on April 30.

The goal-scorer on that famous occasion, Kobiashvili of Freiburg in Germany is one of those who is kept out of this game by injury.

Obviously Shushak has imposed his personal preferences on the Georgia international squad and this, combined to the cruel effects of an unfortunate rash of injuries, means that only five of the 13 players who opposed Ireland in March are expected to be on duty tonight.

Shushak is nothing if not positive, however, and he said: "The mood and atmosphere within the dressing-room is very good.

"My players are very respectful of the football standard in your island but, on the other hand, they have sufficient confidence in their ability and their knowledge to believe they can make their supporters happy."

The coach was not prepared to make public his detailed plans but when I enquired as to Kaladze's role he did not hesitate. "He will not play on the left, he will play as stopper."

Kaladze's part in helping Milan win the Champions' League earned for him the highest civic honour the Georgia government could bestow. Ireland would do well to acknowledge that he has many able compatriots in this squad, despite up to six withdrawals from a full-strength panel.

Exercising his magic in midfield will be the influential Kinkladze of Derby County and up front will be the Rangers' striker, Arveladze.

He is top scorer of the current squad with 16 international goals, one short of the international record of the retired Ketsbaia, who is now playing in Cyprus.

Arveladze's partner up front will be Demetradze, yet another very experienced operator who made a significant impact when introduced against Ireland at half-time in Tbilisi.

Georgia have a team of quality players who are well capable of matching Ireland.

And coach Ivo Shushak suggested they had learned enough from the first meeting of the teams to believe they now could reverse that result.

Their attempts to do so should spark an exciting contest one, hopefully, that will be more invigorating than the match with Albania on Saturday.

GEORGIA (probable): Lomaia; Otar Khizanishvili, Zurab Khizanishvili, Kaladze, Didava; Burduli, Asatiani, Rekhviashvili, Kinkladze; Arveladze, Demetradze.