CARDIFF CITY STADIUM

WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION, WALES 1-1 GEORGIA, ATTENDANCE: 32,652

For the second weekend in succession I was in the capital as Wales hosted Georgia in a World Cup qualification game.

Wales won their first match at home, beating Moldova 4-0, but came into this game on the back of a decent draw away in Austria. Ok, the Austrians were no great shakes, yes Wales took the lead twice, but they are unbeaten at the Ernst Happel in four years.

Three points at home against Georgia and everything in the qualification garden will look rosy, won't it?


Wales started brightly and took the lead after 10 minutes through a superb Gareth Bale header. However the Georgians looked very dangerous on the counter.

Wales were very slow out of the blocks for the second half and the Georgia began to make inroads into the Welsh back line. It was no shock when Tornike Okriashvili headed the visitors level after 57 minutes. 

As the game became more stretched Wales looked dead on their feet and were very fortunate to come away with a draw, as Georgia missed a couple of great chances, including one effort which crashed off the crossbar, to grab the win.

The absence of Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen from the midfield clearly showed as the second half progressed. There was no guile or inventiveness and you simply can't keep expecting Bale to dig the side out of a hole.

Apparently this was only the second time Georgia had avoided defeat in a competitive away match since 2012. A disappointing result but the booing at the end of the game from some Welsh fans was bang out of order.

Attention now turns to the home game with Serbia in November, which already looks like a must win game. Onwards....