Temur Ketsbaia, head coach of the Georgian national team, spoke about the match against Ireland (1:2). At the press conference he noted that the Georgian team deserved a draw.
-Failure was just unfortunate, or the class overbalanced?
Ketsbaia: We have to face reality, which is our standard and unfortunately, we missed a disappointing goal. The guys did their best. We all wanted victory. We did exactly 99% of what we had planned and punished in one percent. The high class of the opponent is clear. Most of the players play in Premier League. I repeat: We did our best, but we were punished by relax. The fact is that the Georgian football needs help.
-In the last minutes it seemed that the team was satisfied by draw. Would it be better if Mchedlidze played in lineup instead of Gelashvili?
-I am satisfied by the play of all players, they did their best. I am satisfied by the play of Kvirkvelia, he did not play for month and a half and stood up for the team. It is easy to judge us from the outside, but you have to look what’s going on inside. The problems were in all aspects and there is nothing to hide. We wanted to justify the audience’s expectations, but experienced very hurtful loss.
-In most of the matches your team plays in defense...
-Physical preparation is needed. Our team was not even closer to Ireland in this component. They play at Euro Cups, at the same time, in one of the strongest championships in the world and who we have at Euro Cups, besides Kankava? Nobody. The guys came out and fought till the end. I am here for five years and I have nerves too. I have to start thinking and see what results we achieve in the next two matches. According to this we will see the situation, I will premeditate and leave my way – the team will lack nothing.
-So, what do you mean, if you cannot win two games, will you go?
-No, we just look at the situation and act accordingly.
Recall that at the end of the first half, Giorgi Loria, goalkeeper of the Georgian national team got trauma. As it turned out later, the Georgian injured his rib and the examination determines how long he will be useless.
Giorgi Balakhadze
