3 points gained with the leader of Erovnuli Liga – Loco triumphs over Saburtalo

In the 5^th round of Erovnuli Liga, Locomotive Tbilisi won a victory over Saburtalo. On April the 4^th, Lasha Chaghiashvili’s team beat the rival 1:2 at Mikheil Meskhi stadium.

In the current Erovnuli Liga, Saburtalo had been the only team having won all the four matches.

It worths mentioning that under the aegis of the Georgian championships, winning against Saburtalo is the 200^th achievement for Locomotive.

After the match against Chikhura, the head coach of Locomotive carried out two changes in the main membership.

Disqualified Giorgi Gabadze was substituted by Teimuraz Ghonghadze on a position of right back. The position of a central back was taken by the newcomer, Ucha Lobzhanidze, substituting Dachi Tsnobiladze.

In the debut of the match, the teams were struggling to obtain a playing supremacy. In the middle of the half, the host team created two dangerous moments.

In both of the cases, Tornike Gorgiashvili has been the threat to Loco’s gate, however, his first attempt was inaccurate. In the second case he was outclassed by Revaz Tevdoradze, who repelled the ball on the corner.

On the 26^th minute of the match, the midfielder of Loco, Teimuraz Shonia got an injury and could not proceed with the game. He was substituted by Tornike Dzebniauri.

18 years old midfielder had a debut match in Loco’s membership. His game seemed to be quite promising, in the centre of the field he managed to neutralize many of the Saburtalo’s attacks.

At the end of the half, Locomotive could have opened the score. Zuriko Davitashvili was about to score, but his ball hit the crossbar.

In the second half, Locomotive’s strategy of playing was built on a counter-attack. On the 57^th minute, Lasha Gvalia got the ball while being on the rival’s side of the pitch, the attack was continued by Vato Arveladze, and after eliminating several footballers, he scored a beautiful goal.

On the 69^th minute, Davit Jikia got a trauma and his position was taken by Roman Chanturia.

On the 71^st minute, the gate of the host team was raided by Mamia Gavashelishvili and thus he scored his first goal in the current season. Near the penalty area of Saburtalo, The forward of Loco took an advantage over the mismatched play of the defenders and kicked the ball accurately from a penalty line.

In the following two episodes, Loco was saved by Revaz Tevdoradze. Our team’s goalkeeper outclassed Vagner Goncalves and then Beka Gvaradze.

At the end of the match, Giorgi Khidesheli substituted Vato Arveladze. During the compensated time by the referee, Saburtalo created two dangerous moments. In the last minute, Gega Diamsamidze’s ball was hit from the empty door by Nika Chanturia, repelling the ball on the corner.

The ball passed from the corner was broken into his own door by Roman Chanturia, fixing the final result of the match.

Locomotive Tbilisi will compete with Sioni Bolnisi in the following match, which is due April 14.

Locomotive: Tevdoradze, Komakhidze, Lobzhanidze, N. Chanturia (c), Ghonghadze, Gvalia, Shonia (Dzebniauri 26), Davitashvili, Jikia (R. Chanturia 69), Arveladze (Khidesheli 84), Gavashelishvili

Head Coach: Lasha Chaghiashvili

Yellow Card: Davitashvili (68)
Referee: Bakur Ninua