Italy march against Georgia

Italy march against Georgia

Two own goals from captain Kakha Kaladze gifted Italy a 2-0 victory over a toothless Georgia in their World Cup qualifier in Tbilisi.

The AC Milan defender headed the ball into his own net in the 57th minute from Angelo Palombo's stinging drive from distance.

Kaladze then fired past his own goalkeeper 10 minutes later after Domenico Criscito had swept in a low cross from the left, much to the horror of the home fans.

The result leaves the world champions top of Group Eight with 17 points from seven games.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi will be relieved by the result but concerned ahead of Wednesday's qualifier against Bulgaria by his players' failure to hit the back of the opposing net for the fourth game in a row.

Lippi fielded five Juventus players in his starting line up, including Vincenzo Iaquinta, who partnered Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi in attack. The visitors were, however, far from impressive.

Winless Georgia created few clear-cut chances of their own but snuffed out any potential danger with an authoritative display at the back in the opening half before disaster struck.

The Azzurri almost broke the deadlock early on with Mauro Camoranesi latching onto Marco Marchionni's corner only for his powerful header to go just high over the crossbar.

In the 14th minute, Georgia goalkeeper Giorgia Bediashvili did well to anticipate Rossi, who was ready to fire after being fed by Andrea Pirlo.

At the other end, Giorgio Chiellini made a crucial tackle on Vladimer Dvalishvili just outside Italy's area following a fast counter-attack by Georgia.

On the half-hour mark, Amiran Sanaia's stinging drive from the distance forced Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon to make a good save.

Italy struggled to break Georgia's well-placed defence and went into the break deadlocked.

Lippi made no changes after the re-start and it was the hosts that had the first chance in the second half.

Levan Khmaladze's central free-kick tested Buffon, who managed to clear the ball with the palm of his hand.

Italy reacted but Pirlo's dangerous cross towards the far post was unable to find an Azzurri shirt.

In the 55th minute, Buffon made a stunning clearance from Dvalishvili's close-range header in what looked to be Georgia's opener.

Just when Hector Cuper's men looked more dangerous, Kaladze's nightmare began.

There was little Bediashvili could do on both occasions with Kaladze's efforts too precise and powerful for the keeper to save.

Fans at the Lokomotivi Stadium booed their captain after his second own goal.

With five minutes to go, Buffon made an acrobatic save to avoid the third own goal of the evening after Criscito's clearance almost stunned the Italy keeper.

The Azzurri should have made it 3-0 late in the game with substitute Fabio Quagliarella and Iaquinta's close-range strikes hitting the post with Bediashvili already beaten.