MILAN GLORIE v GEORGIA LEGENDS, JOY IN TBILISI
Milan Glorie
Fantastic to see each other again. Fantastic to watch them again. The Mikheil Meskhi Stadium was the setting for a truly special friendly in Tbilisi, whose mayor is a certain Kakhaber Kaladze, between Milan Glorie and Georgia Legends. It provided an opportunity to re-embrace old friends and former teammates and to see many past champions back out on the pitch. What’s more, part of the proceeds from the match will go towards Fondazione Milan’s international Sport for Change project. It was, in short, a real celebration.
Ba as the coach, the Brazilians (from Dida to Kaká), Seedorf, Costacurta, Panucci… incredible memories, pieces of history we’ll always be fond of. All it took was a picture, a smile, a pass, an acceleration, and, of course, goals to relive certain Rossoneri emotions. On the grass, Demetradze, Borriello, Siradze and Seedorf all got on the scoresheet as the match finished 2-2. It meant a penalty shootout was required, with Fiori shining between the sticks and Milan Glorie converting all their spot-kicks.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM MILAN GLORIE v GEORGIA LEGENDS
MATCH REPORT
The first chance fell the way of Georgia as Kobakhidze tried to pick out Arveladze in front of Dida, but his pass was too long (4’). In the eighth minute, Cafu sent in a cross for Ambrosini, whose header was blocked by Revishvili. It was time for Kaká to take centre stage: the Brazilian shot narrowly wide (10’), headed over from a Montolivo ball in (17’) and fired off target on the volley (19’). Then, there were efforts from Seedorf (21’), Montolivo from distance (24’) and Rivaldo (25’), all to no avail. Arveladze had a go in the 27th minute, but Dida was in place to save. Three minutes later, Nelson made a great intervention to thwart Kinkladze. The Brazilian also kept out a free-kick with 34 minutes on the clock. Iashvili then supplied the assist for Demetradze to open the scoring on the 38-minute mark. Shortly afterwards, Montolivo failed to keep his attempt down (40’).
Kaká went for goal at the start of the second half but again missed the target. Mchedlidze then tested Fiori, who turned the ball behind for a corner. Milan Glorie drew level in the 55th minute as Borriello nodded home a Cafu cross. Two minutes later, however, Georgia Legends restored their lead through Siradze, who, having been found by Marvaladze, slid in to convert from close range (57’). The Rossoneri responded two minutes later, with Kaká setting up Seedorf to level matters. No further goals were scored and it went to a penalty shootout, during which Fiori excelled and Milan Glorie converted all their spot-kicks.
MATCH DETAILS
MILAN GLORIE 2-2 GEORGIA LEGENDS (3-1 ON PENALTIES)
FIRST HALF
MILAN GLORIE (3-4-2-1): Dida; Panucci, Costacurta, Oddo; Cafu, Ambrosini, Montolivo, Serginho: Seedorf, Kaká; Rivaldo. Subs: Antonini, Borriello, Brocchi, Fiori, Zaccardo. Coach: Ba.
SECOND HALF
MILAN GLORIE (3-4-2-1): Dida; Zaccardo, Panucci, Oddo; Cafu, Brocchi, Seedorf, Antonini; Kaká, Rivaldo; Borriello. Subs.: Ambrosini, Costacurta, Dida, Montolivo, Serginho. Coach: Ba.
GEORGIA LEGENDS: Amisulashvili, Ananidze, Arveladze, Demetradze, Dvalishvili, Gudushauri, Iashvili, Jamarauli, Kaladze, Khizanishvili, Kobakhidze, Kobiashvili, Kinkladze, Kvirkvelia, Lomaia, Martsvaladze, Mchedlidze, Navalovski, Revishvili, Salukvadze, Siradze, Tskhadadze, Tskitishvili. Coach: Ketsbaia.
Referee: Irakli Kvirikashvili (GEO).
Goals: 38' Demetradze (GL), 60' Borriello (MG), 62' Siradze (GL), 64' Seedorf (MG).
Penalties: Iashvili (GL) saved, Cafu (MG) goal, Arveladze (GL) goal, Kaká (MG) goal, Gudushauri (GL) miss, Oddo (MG) goal, Demetradze (GL) saved.
Booked: 72' Siradze (GL), 72' Panucci (MG).
