History
The history of Georgia national football team began in 1990, when the team played their first international match against Lithuania, the first country to accept an invitation. The match was held on May 27, 1990 in Boris Paichadze Stadium. Georgia were coached by Givi Nodia. The friendly match ended in a 2–2 draw. This was the only match prior to the declaration of independence on April 9, 1991. Soon afterwards the team played another friendly match against Moldova.
The Georgian Football Federation became a member of both UEFA and FIFA in 1992, enabling Georgia to play competitive matches. The first of these came in September 1994, a 1–0 defeat to Moldova as part of the qualifiers for Euro 96. Georgia finished third in their group, ahead of Moldova and Wales, but seven points behind second-placed qualifier Bulgaria.
Georgia failed to qualify for 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, obtaining 10 points and finishing in fourth place, level on points with Poland. At this time Georgia reached forty-second place in FIFA rankings.
In the Euro 2000 qualifying Georgia national team won one match, drew two and finished bottom of the group with five points. This marked the beginning of a period of decline for Georgian football.
The team finished fifth (and last) with seven points in their qualifying group for Euro 2004, although they defeated Russia with a goal scored by Malkhaz Asatiani.
In the FIFA World Cup 2006 qualifiers Georgia beat Kazakhstan away 1-2 and Albania 2-0 at home. They finished sixth (second bottom) with ten points in Group 2.
Georgia were sixth out of seven teams in the Euro 2008 qualifiers with ten points. They defeated Scotland 2-0 and the Faroe Islands 3-1 at home and 0-6 away.
Hector Cuper became the manager of Georgia in August 2008. During the qualification round for the FIFA 2010 World Cup Georgia failed to win any matches and finished sixth (and last) with three points. Cuper didn't extend his contract and on November 6, 2009 Temuri Ketsbaia was appointed as the coach of the Georgian national football team.
Read more about this topic: Georgia National Football Team
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