Scotland's qualification hopes dented by defeat in Georgia
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ByEurosport
Updated 04/09/2015 at 21:42 GMT
Euro 2016 qualifier, Group D, Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi – Georgia 1 (Qazaishvili 37) Scotland 0
Scotland's Steven Fletcher looks dejected
Image credit: Reuters
Scotland’s slim chances of qualifying for Euro 2016 were dealt a massive blow as they slipped to a dismal 1-0 defeat in Georgia.
Gordon Strachan’s team came into the match knowing nothing short of victory would realistically be enough to put any pressure on Poland and Germany at the top of Group D.
But a toothless side devoid of any cutting edge failed to carve out a single shot on goal and Valeri Qazaishvili’s strike before the break gave Georgia a deserved victory.
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Scotland's Grant Hanley (L) fights for a high ball with Georgia's Vladimer Dvalishvili during their Euro 2016 qualification match at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia, September 4, 2015. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
Image credit: Reuters
Scotland next host Germany on Monday but even a famous victory will surely not be enough after yet another agonising setback.
KEY MOMENTS
38’ – GOAL! Georgia 1-0 Scotland: It’s a big blow for Scotland’s qualification chances as Kankava’s ball into the box falls to Qazaishvili and he nips inside Brown before rifling a shot past Marshall.
68’ – GOOD SAVE MARSHALL: Scotland have their keeper to thank for preventing them going two behind as he tips Mchedidze’s swerving shot over the bar.
90+2’ – HANLEY HEADS WIDE: It’s a last chance for Scotland but Hanley’s header goes wide from Mulgrew’s corner.
KEY STATS
Georgia have not won their first match in seven competitive home games since beating Belarus in September 2012.
Scotland have now won four times against Georgia and lost twice.
Scotland have failed to score for the first time in their last 13 internationals.
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Scotland's players trudge off looking dejected
Image credit: Reuters
TALKING POINT
Why were Scotland so toothless? Failing to create a single shot on goal says it all. Most observers were puzzled that Lee Griffiths did not start and he only came on with 15 minutes to play.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Valeri Qazaishvili (Georgia): Always lively in attack and a really taken goal gave his side a deserved win.
PLAYER RATINGS
Georgia: Revishvili 7, Lobjanidze 6, Kashia 6, Amisulashvili 7, Kvirkvelia 6, Navalovski 6, Ananidze 7, Kankava 7, Okriashvili 6, Qazaishvili 8, Mchedidze 7. SUBS: Merebashvili 6, Vatsadze 6, Daushvili 6
Scotland: Marshall 6, Hutton 6, Robertson 6, R. Martin 6, Mulgrew 6, Maloney 7, Morrison 7, Brown 5, S. Fletcher 5, Naismith 5, Anya 6. SUBS: Griffiths 6, Forrest 7, Hanley 6.
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