Injuries and suspensions pose problems for Georgia

GEORGIA coach Ivo Susak has major worries ahead of tomorrow’s Euro 2004 Group 10 qualifier against Ireland with at least five key players missing through injury and suspension.

It meant the squad arrived in Dublin yesterday with only 18 fit players.

Captain Georgi Nemsadze, who plays for Dundee, fellow midfielders Davit Kvirkvelia and Levan Tskitishvili and Schalke 04 defender Levan Kobiashvili are out with injuries, while Spartak-Alania Vladikavkaz striker Micheil Ashvetia is suspended.

In addition, Nemsadze’s Dundee team-mate, defender Zurab Khizanishvili, is doubtful with a hamstring injury.

Despite that setback, Suzak remains confident that his side’s “fanaticism” means they can match Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

“We still have 18 in the squad and that should be enough for this one game,” he said. “We have

prepared well for the game.

“We want to win but I don’t want to put any more pressure on the players that they go out with nothing but a win on their mind.

“The players will be mentally prepared to go out and match Ireland’s fanaticism and if they do that I will be happy, no matter what the result.

“We have some very good players and I think we are better than our position in the group. We have four points, and I think we should have six..”

Suzak confirmed that Rangers striker Shota Arveladze would definitely start in attack though, like Brian Kerr, he will not name the rest of the team until one hour before kick off.

The manager was an interested spectator in Tbilisi in March when Gary Doherty’s goal ensured Ireland beat Georgia 2-1, and was also at last year’s World Cup. He has been impressed by Ireland.

“They are a very good team and are very fanatic. I am not worried about any of their players because they play collectively and any of their players could be dangerous for us during the match.

“In Tbilisi, they played very well, but Georgia have a reputation as good hosts. I just hope Ireland will be good hosts to us this time.”

The Croatian, who was Croatia under-21 manager from 1998 to 2000, is also manager of Dinamo Tbilisi and took over as Georgian manager on a temporary basis in April following Alexander Chivadze’s resignation.

But despite a dream start as Georgia beat rivals Russia, Suzak said tomorrow’s game will be his last in charge.

“I was asked to take over by the Georgian Federation and I did it for Georgian football. But I am also manager of Dinamo Tbilisi and don’t think both jobs can be done together on a permanent basis.”

Susak also named AC Milan full back Kakha Kaladze team captain for the Ireland match.

If the Georgians need extra incentives, one local businessman offered them one million lari ($460,000) bonus for reaching next year’s finals in Portugal.