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Goalkeeping error hands Republic win over Georgia

07/09/2008

An error by Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Loria gifted Republic of Ireland a 2-1 win to get their World Cup qualifying campaign off to a good start.

Ireland won 2-1 thanks to Loria's error when he failed to get behind Glenn Whelan's long-range shot.

Giovanni Trapattoni's side looked comfortable but they were relieved to have the cushion Loria's error had given them when Levan Kenia got a late goal for the Georgians in stoppage time.

Kevin Doyle had put Ireland ahead in the first half with a deft header inside the six yard box.

Robbie Keane fed Aiden McGeady on the right flank and his cross found Doyle at the front post. The Reading striker then guided his header into the far corner.

Just after the break Keane had a chance to double Ireland's lead but his shot from a tight angle came back off the post.

Thankfully they did not have to wait long before Whelan struck. The midfielder latched on to a ball about 30 yards from goal. His shot looked to be going straight at the goalkeeper but he could not hold on in slippery conditions and the ball trickled over the goal-line.

Georgia tried to get back in the game and Richard Dunne had to be alert on a couple of occasions at the back. In the closing moments Kenia eventually got the ball past Shay Given but it was too little too late.

In Group three Northern Ireland suffered another away defeat after losing 2-1 to Slovakia.

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel put the home side ahead after 46 minutes with a glancing header before Marek Hamsik made it 2-0 midway through the second half.

With ten minutes remaining Northern Ireland got back in the match when Jan Durica scored an own-goal but they could not find an equaliser.