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UEFA Cup: Lokomotivi Tbilisi take control

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  • UEFA Cup: Lokomotivi Tbilisi take control

    UEFA
    http://es.uefa.com/index.html
    July 15 2005

    UEFA Cup: Lokomotivi Tbilisi take control

    Three goals in eleven minutes either side of half-time helped
    FC Lokomotiv Tbilisi take the initiative in their UEFA Cup first
    qualifying round tie at FC Banants, although strikes from Aram Hakobyan
    and Tigran Gharabaghtsyan brought the home team back into contention.

    Three-goal burst

    Much of the pre-match hype surrounded Lokomotivi Tbilisi's midfield
    prodigy George Alaverdashvili and the 17-year-old did not disappoint,
    breaking the deadlock on 42 minutes. Lasha Kebadze and George Oniani
    made it 3-0 early in the second period as the visitors seized control,
    but Banants dragged themselves back into the tie in the closing stages.

    Alaverdashvili strike

    The late goals will be a blow to Lokomotivi Tbilisi, who looked at
    ease for much of the encounter in Yerevan, not least Alaverdashvili.
    The teenager caused his Armenian hosts problems from the kick-off and
    it was little surprise that he struck first just before the interval,
    springing the offside trap before sliding the ball past Manuchari
    Ivardava.

    Attacking intent

    The Banants goalkeeper was beaten again three minutes after the
    restart when Kebadze, who had earlier seen a long-range effort hit
    the post, lashed the ball in from an acute angle. By now the Georgian
    Cup winners were pouring forward, with wing-backs Roin Oniani and
    Mikheil Makhviladze playing as auxiliary wingers.

    Banants recovery

    But it was another Oniani, centre-back George, who secured a three-goal
    cushion on 53 minutes, converting from the penalty spot. However,
    with the tie seemingly in their hands, the away team eased off. Samvel
    Melkonyan soon took advantage, testing Beka Shekriladze with a fine
    shot, but Lokomotivi Tbilisi did not heed the warning and were made
    to pay.

    Tbilisi date

    With eight minutes remaining Hakobyan revived the home crowd's
    hopes by pulling a goal back and that optimism grew when substitute
    Gharabaghtsyan further reduced the deficit in the final minute. The
    stage is set for an intriguing second leg in Georgia on 28 July.
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