Georgia 1 Russia 0The Republic of Ireland's prospects of Euro 2004 qualification received a major boost ahead of tonight's friendly against Norway with the news that Russia have suffered a second successive surprise defeat, this time at the hands of Georgia.
The defeat, coming after Russia's 3-1 loss in Albania last month, leaves them in second place in Group 10 with six points from four matches, two points behind group leaders Switzerland. Albania are third on five with Brian Kerr's Ireland and Georgia on four.
Malkhaz Asati, who joined Russian champions Lokomotiv Moscow earlier this season, was left unmarked in front of Russia's goal and headed home the winning goal from close range in the 11th minute.
Today's match was re-scheduled after the original game was called off at halftime due to floodlight failure last October.
It was played amid heavy security following the incident when Georgia's played host to Ireland in March and Kevin Kilbane was struck by a penknife thrown be a fan. UEFA, European soccer's governing body, initially banned all fans from attending the match but last week reversed its decision and allowed the 11,000 spectators, who had kept their tickets for the original game, into the Lokomotiv stadium.
The Russians, who were missing firs-choice goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov with a knee injury, had only a few clear scoring chances throughout the match.
In the best of them, Sergei Semak missed an open goal after going one-one-one with Georgia keeper Georgi Lomaia in the 16th minute. Lomaia then made point-blank save to keep out a header by Russia's leading scorer Alexander Kerzhakov midway through the second half.
It was a great win for new Georgia's coach Ivo Susak, who was making his national team debut. The Croatian replaced Alexander Chivadze earlier this month. Chivadze resigned four weeks ago after the April 2nd goalless home qualifier against Switzerland.