Georgia draws with Wales, earns first FIFA World Cup qualifying point

Georgia's national football team scored its first FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying point on Sunday after drawing its match against Wales in Cardiff.

In front of loyal supporters who had travelled to Cardiff City stadium, the Georgian side played a strong match against Wales, who are widely regarded as one of Europe’s leading teams.

It was Georgia’s third game in the qualifying stage for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The game ended in a 1:1 draw but game statistics showed the Georgian side ahead in statistics: Georgia had 17 shots on goal while Wales had 13 shots on goal.

Georgia and Wales line up at Cardiff City Stadium before the kick-off. Photo from the Georgian Football Federation's press office. 

Georgia was unable to capitalise on its opportunities and might have even won the match if not for missed chances late in the match.

The first goal of the match was scored by Wales 10 minutes in, when the team’s leading player Gareth Bale rose above Georgian defenders to put a header past goalkeeper Giorgi Loria.

Georgia refused to hang their heads and levelled the score at 57 minutes when midfielder Valeri Qazaishvili's cross into the penalty area was met by Tornike Okriashvili, who headed the ball past Wales' goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

Georgia's Jano Ananidze (L) in action against Wales. Photo from the Georgian Football Federation's press office.

Georgia had several opportunities to score another goal and take the win and all three points before the final whistle. Several opportunities were made in front of Wales’ goal but Georgia could not finish.

The most realistic chance of netting the ball was in the 73rd minute when forward Levan Mchedlidze ran clear towards goal but missed his shot.

After the match several Georgian players addressed media.

We must be disappointed for only picking up one point but [at the same time] we, as players, can feel we are improving our game. We had about four chances where we could have scored and won the match," said defender Guram Kashia in his post-match comments.

Goalscorer Okriashvili added: 

We did not start very well in my opinion but we played better after [coach Vladimir Weiss] told us during the break we had to improve […] We will need to win our next [qualifying] match against Moldova in Georgia.”

Georgia's Tornike Okriashvili and Wales' Gareth Bale compete for possession during the match. Photo from the Georgian Football Federation's press office.

Georgia will play Moldova next on November 12 at home.

The 1-all draw meant Georgia was able to pick up its first point in the qualifying campaign after losing its first two matches against Austria and Ireland.

Georgia are placed fifth of six teams in its group. Serbia and Ireland currently lead the group with seven points each. 

Wales are third with five points, Austria has four points, followed by Georgia with one point then Moldova, who is last with zero points.

Georgia's fans celebrate on stands while the team's players congratulate each other on the pitch. Photo from the Georgian Football Federation's press office.

The World Cup 2018 Qualifier tournament features nine groups involving 52 European nations, each competing for 13 spots at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

At the end of the year-long qualification campaign, top-placed teams from all nine groups will automatically advance to the next FIFA World Cup.

The next eight teams will then face each other in a knockout round to reveal four more nations who will compete in the 2018 tournament.

See full standings of FIFA World Cup 2018 European qualifier groups here.