4927: Georgia On Scottish Minds

by : Hugh Larkin

So after an epic 10 match campaign in what seemed to be an impossible group before it opened, Scotland now have to produce a win in Georgia to put themselves in the dominant position to qualify for Euro 2008 from Group B. Square Football looks at the issues;

Can A Win Send Scotland Through?

The way the section has panned out, only 4 points from their two remaining games can see the Scots definitely home. Italy are hot on their tails and the Azzuri’s final game is against the Faroe Islands. Before that they come to Hampden in a game Scotland would need a point from to be certain.

France are just one point further back with a home game with Lithuania next up- Scotland must assume that Les Bleus will take three points from that one. They end the group by travelling to the Ukraine, who are now out of contention.

If Scotland beat Georgia then only a win in Ukraine would do for France, so there is a safety net should Scotland lose to Italy. If the Scots were only to draw in Georgia a win over Italy will probably become the only route to qualification for Alex McCleish’s side.

What Form Are Georgia In?

The Georgians have actually improved on some dismal form early in the group. Both France and Italy won in Tbilisi, netting three goals in the process. However, they are an inconsistent team capable of sudden bursts of improvement- they only went down 3-2 in Ukraine and then held the World Cup quarter-finalists at home.

Recently, the Georgians went down just 2-0 in Italy and by just a single goal in France; their better performances have been saved for the away trips in this group. For Scots inclined to worry, they were only seen off by a 2-1 scoreline at Hampden in the 89th minute.

Having said that, while Georgia are always competitive they don’t win very many matches. In qualifying for the 2006 World Cup they won just two games out of 12 and they are heading for a similar total in this section.

Who’s In The Georgia Squad?

Shota Arveldaze has reached the end of a tremendous career as a dangerous front man and Scottish fans remember him all too well from his time with Rangers. He scored the Georgian goal at Hampden but has announced his retirement from international soccer.

Having lost Arveladze, coach Klaus Topmoller also has to do without his other big names. Scotland are fortunate that Georgia’s star defender, Kakha Kaladaze of Milan, is out with injury, as is Levan Kobiashvili of Schalke. Arguably this means Georgia go in without their three best players

Much of the attacking weight may fall on Levan Mchlidze who plays for Empoli in Italy and Lasha Jakoba who gave Everton some trouble in their UEFA tie with Metalist Kharkhiv last week. At the back, Zurab Kizhanisvili- another ex-Rangers man- will try to keep James McFadden and co at bay.

Can Scottish Nerve Hold?

History suggests that when Scotland squads have set up the opportunity for qualification, opportunities are finished off. Scotland’s participation in tournaments went down to the wire for the 1974, 1986 and 1998 World Cups and the final hurdles were overcome.

Scotland have been far less successful getting to Euro Finals than World Cups and for Euro 1992 only a win over San Marino was required to finish the qualification job. For Euro 96 the place was secured before the final games.

The best news for Scotland is that Georgia have kept just a single clean sheet in this campaign and that was against the Faroe Islands. The team will be confident of piercing the home defence and with some of the best Georgian talent missing, Scotland have to be massive favourites to bag the vital points.