Euro 2012 Qualifier, Group F: GEORGIA 0 ISRAEL 0

Boris Paichadze National Stadium

Georgia were held to a goalless draw by Israel in the Euro 2012 qualifier, as Temuri Ketsbaia’s side produced another impressive display.

In a game bereft of goalmouth action, it was the home side who created the only clear cut opportunities but lacked the killer instinct to punish the Israelis.

After Friday’s heroic 1-1 draw in Greece, the Georgians were in confident mood on and off the pitch.

Armed with free whistles and their customary patriotic passion, the near capacity home crowd provided a white-hot atmosphere to inspire their white-shirted countrymen.

Every time Georgia entered the Israeli half, the noise of the Tbilisi faithful was deafening. One can only imagine the decibel level had Georgia scored the goal that their performance deserved.

Ketsbaia made only one change to the team that drew in Greece, with teenage sensation Jano Ananidze preferred to Dato Kvirkvelia in the midfield.

With such ferocious support behind them, it was perhaps not surprising that Georgia took some time to settle into the match.

There was early panic for the home fans when, after 4 minutes, Aleksandre Amisulashvili slipped, allowing Israel captain Yossi Benayoun to steal possession but the Chelsea midfielder’s cross was too long for the lurking Ben Sahar.

Three minutes later, the Georgians were on their feet as Anandize forced his way past two Israeli defenders before crossing hard and low. Dudu Aouate in the Israel goal spilled the ball but Vladimer Dvalishvili could not convert the rebound.

Soon Israel were again firing a warning shot across Georgian bows as Tamir Cohen’s delicate chipped pass found Benayoun who’s miss-hit volley drifted harmlessly wide.

In the 16th minute, Georgia came agonisingly close to that coveted opening goal when the hosts were awarded a free-kick 35 yards from goal. Ananidze rolled the ball to Gogita Gogua and his blistering drive smacked the crossbar as the home support shrieked in anguish.

The exceptionally dry Tbilisi summer had not helped the condition of the pitch as the ball bounced wildly and players on both sides struggled to cope on the rock hard surface.

Ten minutes before half-time Georgia again threatened to open the scoring when Ananidze’s corner kick eventually fell to Dvalishvili but he could only blast the ball over from a narrow angle.

Seconds later, the instrumental Ananidze was again pestering the Israeli defence as he fired a speculative shot from 25 yards which found only the top of the net, although some sections of the stadium thought it was in.

There was a slight scare for Georgia in the 38th minute when Ben Sahar’s cross deflected off Malkhaz Asatiani and goalkeeper Nukri Revishvili reacted smartly to deny what would have been an extremely fortuitous goal.

The half-time whistle was met with cheers of encouragement from the Georgian supporters who had seen enough to believe that the priceless goal they so craved would arrive in the second half.

Ketsbaia made one substitution at half-time as Friday’s goal hero Aleksandre Iashvili was replaced by David Siradze.

And, on the hour mark, it was the substitute Siradze who was handed Georgia’s best chance of the match. Right-back Ucha Lobjanidze embarked on a rampaging run before delivering a perfect cross for Siradze. However, the striker’s left foot volley flew inches over the Israeli crossbar.

The Tbilisi crowd were audibly and visibly stunned that Siradze had not scored the goal that might just have blown the roof off the stadium.

Thereafter, Israel responded with their only serious attempt on target when substitute Eran Zehavi unleashed a powerful long range free-kick but Revishvili parried the ball to safety.

The hosts continued to push for that elusive goal but their best moments had passed. It was Israel who might have stolen victory in the last minute but Benayoun’s volley flashed over the bar, much to the relief of the inspirational Georgian fans.

As the final whistle sounded, the Georgian players and fans applauded each other in a show of mutual admiration for the spirit and effort that both parties had exerted.

Israel will be happier with this result, but Georgia remain unbeaten under Ketsbaia who seems to have installed a belief and a sense of togetherness in his team. Something his predecessors had toiled to achieve.

Next month, Georgia play Malta in Tbilisi before a trip to Latvia and, having taken points from two of the stronger sides in Group F already, Ketsbaia’s men have nothing to fear.

Georgia: Revishvili, Lobjanidze, Asatiani, Kaladze, Amisulashvili, Khizanishvili, Gogua (Aphtsiauri 74), Ananidze, Iashvili (Siradze 46), Kobiashvili, Dvalishvili (Merabashvili 62).

Subs not used: Loria, Kvirkvelia, Gelashvili, Salukvadze.

Booked: Lobjanidze, Kobiashvili.

Israel: Aouate, Ben Haim, Ben Dayan, Keinan, Sahar (Arbitman 52), Lior (Vermouth 74), Benayoun, Bondarev, A Cohen, Kayal, T Cohen (Zehavi 61).

Subs not used: Levita, Yadin, Ziv, Golsa.

Booked: Ben Haim, Bondarev.