Wales's poor run of form against Georgia continued this evening as they were made to settle for a 1-1 draw in their latest meeting.
The Crusaders had won all three previous encounters between the pair, scoring eight and conceding just one in the process, and they once again frustrated their opponents.
Gareth Bale had put the hosts into a 10th-minute lead, only for Tornike Okriashvili to ghost in an level things up prior to the hour, with Georgia then looking the more likely to win the match.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded at the Cardiff City Stadium with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the World Cup 2018 qualifying fixture between Wales and Georgia at the Cardiff City Stadium. The Dragons head into this fixture sitting at the top of Group D thanks to their superior goal difference over their closest rivals, but only three point will do this evening in their third outing of the campaign.
Group D has proved to be as tight as expected thus far, with so very little to choose between the top four seeds battling it out for that one automatic spot to compete at Russia 2018. Austria, Republic of Ireland, Serbia and Wales are all expected to battle it out over the next 12 months, and so it has proved so far with each team taking points off each other to leave us in a situation where all four teams have the same number of points.
While this is a fixture that Wales will be targeting all three points from, their opponents are not exactly whipping boys in the manner of Andorra or Gibraltar. Chris Coleman, as well as the 32,000 in attendance this evening, will no doubt take a sloppy 1-0 win if offered right now - just ask Martin O'Neill who saw his Ireland side pushed all the way in Dublin a few days ago, with Seamus Coleman scoring the only goal of the game after being put to the sword in the first half.
TEAM NEWS!
WALES XI: Hennessey; Gunter, Chester, Williams, Davies, Taylor; King, Edwards, Ledley; Bale, Vokes
GEORGIA XI: Loria; Kakabadze, Kashia, Kverkvelia, Navalovski; Daushvili, Gvilia, Okriashvili, Ananidze, Kazaishvili; Mchedlidze
This Wales team news was always going to be interesting, as Joe Allen joined Aaron Ramsey on the injury list earlier this week forcing Coleman into making a big call. Andy King is the man who has slotted in for Ramsey over the two qualifiers thus far, producing a solid enough job in central midfield, and David Edwards will join him this evening in the place of key component Allen.
That is, as expected, the only change from last time out so we can expect Wales to set out in the same manner - albeit without two of the men named in UEFA's Team of the Tournament for Euro 2016. Jonny Williams, usually a capable enough back-up option, is also still nursing an injury meaning that creative talents are not exactly freely available for Coleman at the moment. King stood out against Moldova here recently, though, while Edwards was superb away at Cyprus 13 months ago when called upon.
This fixture very much has a similar feel to it when compared to the home clash with Cyprus a couple of years back. That came at a time when Wales had made a bright start to their group with four points from a possible six, up against opposition that they were expected to beat without both Ramsey and Allen. Here we go again, then - another must-win game for the Dragons, who need King and Edwards to step up to the plate across the next few hours if they are to remain at the top of the Group D standings.
Elsewhere, there is now a familiar feel to Wales' starting lineup as Sam Vokes is again given the nod over Hal Robson-Kanu up top, fielding slightly ahead of Gareth Bale who is tasked with linking midfield and attack. Chris Gunter becomes the Dragons' fourth-most capped player ever at the age of just 27, while Neil Taylor lines up on the opposite flank in this now familiar five-at-the-back setup. Expect both wing-backs to remain high up the field, with the pressure on Wales to find an early breakthrough.
I'll avoid all the 'great scrabble word' jokes when turning attention to this Georgia side, which shows no changes from the 1-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland on Thursday night. Defender Solomon Kverkveliya was doubtful after picking up a head injury in Dublin, but he will apparently wear some protective gear this evening, although skipper Joba Kankave again has to sit this one out - a big blow for the visitors.
Ucha Lobjanidze, Georgia's most capped current player, is not involved, in what is a group containing many twenty-something players who certainly have age on their side. Five Dinamo Tbilisi players are included in the matchday squad, meanwhile, and there is a place in midfield for Torinke Okriashvili - the man who become a national hero of sorts when scoring the only goal of the game against Spain recently to take his international goals tally to seven in all, aged just 24.
BENCH WATCH!
WALES SUBS: Williams, Davies, Collins, Dummett, Huws, MacDonald, Crofts, Robson-Kanu, Bradshaw, Cotterill, Lawrence
GEORGIA SUBS: Kvaskhvadze, Makaridze, Dvali, Dvalishvili, Kvilitaia, Katcharava, Parunashvili, Tsiskaridze, Skhirtladze, Kobakhidze, Jigauri, Papunashvili
Emyr Huws is perhaps a tad unlucky to have been overlooked for that central midfield berth in the absence of Allen, but he will no doubt play some part as the game transpires. Robson-Kanu, the man now famous for his goal in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, is the only other obvious attacking option for the Dragons, with Tom Bradshaw and David Cotterill struggling for minutes at international level of late.
Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder David Edwards comes into the starting lineup for Wales this evening in their only alteration from last time out, with that change enforced on manager Chris Coleman due to the loss of Joe Allen to injury. A midfield pairing of Andy King and Edwards may not quite be on the same level as Allen and other absentee Aaron Ramsey, but both have produced stellar displays for their country over the past 12 months.
Not a lot is known about visitors Georgia, in truth, but it is fair to say that - along with Moldova - six points from six will be the target for the four top seeds in Group D. The Crusaders have never reached a major finals, failing to qualify in 11 attempts since Euro 96, but they are certainly no walkovers, either. Nine wins from their previous 46 World Cup qualifiers shows that, while rare, they do have the ability to pick up victories, while overall it is 17 wins from 106 competitive games.
Not the greatest of stats, granted, but Georgia will pick up points in this group against a side other than Moldova. Just ask Gordon Strachan, who saw his Scotland side fall to a costly 1-0 reverse in Tbilisi just over a year ago which would prove to be fatal in their hopes of reaching the European Championship finals. Ask Martin O'Neill, too, who saw his Ireland side struggle to a 1-0 win just three days ago on home soil - a sloppy Seamus Coleman goal the difference on a night when the visitors hit the woodwork three times.
That is without mentioning the 1-0 win over Spain in June - a match that I covered at the time and one that showed La Roja are no longer the great force they once were. It was not a weak side, either, with a three-quarters strong side struggling to put away their chances and succumbing to Okriashvili's goal 40 minutes into the match in Madrid. That was one of three wins for Georgia in their last 20 outings overall, with the aforementioned triumph over Scotland and a more straightforward victory over Gibraltar prior to that.
O'Neill claimed that Georgia "lacked a natural goalscorer" in that meeting with Ireland; top-scorer Okriashvili having to chip in with seven goals to top the scoring charts for his nation. The Boy in Green boss does expect the Crusaders to take points off Serbia, Wales and Austria over the next 12 months, however, and on the evidence so far - a 2-1 defeat to Austria and 1-0 reverse to Ireland - you have to say O'Neill is probably right. Wales cannot afford to slip-up tonight!
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! I may be talking up Georgia's chances a little too much at the moment, but the stats do not lie. They are a tough team to beat and they have proven pedigree, beating both Scotland and Spain in the last 13 months. The Crusaders also have a bright history when it comes to games against Wales, having won all three previous meetings - scoring eight and conceding just one during that time.
The last of those wins came at the Liberty Stadium in 2008, in what was a dire performance from Wales that resulted in a rare win for the Crusaders. Prior to that, in their first-ever qualification campaign, Georgia pulled off back-to-back wins over their opponents - including an infamous 5-0 thrashing in Tbilisi 22 years ago that is still well remembered; a team including both Chris Coleman and his assistant Kit Symons. Wales need to stop the rot this evening, then, or else they will likely slip down the Group D standings.
Wales have a chance to put some points between themselves and their three rivals for top spot in this tough group, knowing that Serbia and Austria face each other a little later, while Ireland play in a few hours' time against winless Moldova. Goal difference will surely prove to be a factor come the totting up process this time next year, with only the group winners assured of a place in Russia 2018, so the Dragons will be delighted to have made such light work of Moldova in their previous outing at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Wales fans are dreaming of a first World Cup appearance in 60 years, buoyed by their impressive form over the past couple of years. While those at the top were reluctant to say it, this is very much a golden generation of players - capped by the likes of Allen, Ramsey and Bale - that was always destined to reach the top. The Dragons have won six and drawn one of their last 10 competitive outings; a run of form that includes victories over Slovakia, Russia, Northern Ireland and Belgium at Euro 2016.
Wales had actually failed to win four games in succession heading into the Euros, but nobody really remembers that now for obvious reasons. It really was a summer to remember for Coleman & Co. - more of the same is now the target, with Russia 2018 very much in sight. They have started this current campaign in a good manner by easily seeing off Moldova here and picking up that well-earned 2-2 draw in Austria. Having been pegged back twice by Marko Arnautovic, it may be seen as a slight disappointment not to have gained all three points, but Wales did all that was required of them to remain on track.
Seven points from the first nine was the target, and that will be achieved with victory tonight. The campaign gets a little tougher from hereon in, though, with a home game against rivals Serbia up next - the last side to beat Wales on home soil, incidentally - and then trips to Belgrade and Dublin in the first half of next year. Bale said it best in the build-up to this game - Wales cannot afford to slip-up against these lesser sides on home soil, which they managed to avoid in the Euro 2016 qualification campaign.
DID YOU KNOW? Speaking of Gareth Bale, the Real Madrid superstar is now on 24 goals for his country after finding the net against Moldova last month. That leaves him just four behind the legend that is Ian Rush, with time very much on Bale's side as he is yet to reach what is usually considered a player's peak years. He failed to register in Austria, but his long-throw did prove dangerous and may be used once again this evening.
With kickoff at the Cardiff City Stadium now a little over 10 minutes away, let us turn attention to some pre-match thoughts from both camps.
Chris Coleman: "We're without Aaron and Joe, but no problem, we're good enough to go and perform. I know it's a full house, big expectations. As long as we get what we need - we may have to get that in a slightly different way. That's not to say the players we've got are not capable; they're well capable, good players and they never let us down. So it's a big task, a big challenge against Georgia."
Wladimir Weiss: "This may be the last chance to do it, to dream. This is very true. I hope we can take points from any team. We have quality, but we must show it, score goals and play with balance between attack and defence. We have had a bad start, but something has changed in the heads of our players. We play with good spirit and discipline in these last three games. For a new coach it is never easy coming to a new country, but now I feel like at home because the guys are talented and working well in the training sessions."
Coleman admitting that this will be a "big task" for his side, then, made all the more difficult by the loss of his two key midfield players. The Wales boss may have been tempted to stick Bale in a deeper position this evening, with Robson-Kanu partnering Vokes up top, but it is as you were from last time out in terms of formation as Edwards will provide a direct replacement for Allen. "They are all capable," Coleman says - now is time for those stand-in players to prove their worth again.
Wladimir Weiss has only been in charge of this Moldova side since March - a run that includes one win and five defeats. When that victory comes away to former world champions Spain, however, you can rightly boast your worth, and the Crusaders boss also has previous having taken his nation of birth, Slovakia, to the round of 16 at the 2010 World Cup. Weiss is happy with the quality of his group of players, but admits that goals - and indeed wins - are needed if they are to push on.
We are now fast closing in on kickoff at the Cardiff City Stadium, with the two sets of players shortly about to make their way down the tunnel in time for the pre-match anthems. It is a 33,000-capacity sell-out here today, with home supporters buying into the Together Stronger mantra and hoping that this dream continues into the next World Cup. Wales do not tend to do bad results these days, but there is always the risk of slipping up when taking your eye off the ball.
Anthems time at the Cardiff City Stadium - Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau belted out as wonderfully as ever. Wales in all red this evening, incidentally, due to Georgia only having white shorts. The Dragons have never prevailed against today's opponents, remember, so that is something they will need to get out of the system if it is indeed going to be an unbeaten start to this World Cup qualifying campaign after their opening three fixtures.
Here we go, then - Wales against Georgia at the Cardiff City Stadium, in this Group D showdown in World Cup 2018 qualification. The visitors are far from whipping boys, but this is still a game that the Dragons should be coming out on top in with their new-found expectation levels; the Crusaders perhaps seeing this as a chance to claim an unlikely point - or more - with both Ramsey and Allen missing.
KICKOFF! Wales, in all red for a change this evening, get us under way at the Cardiff City Stadium. Great atmosphere today, with the FAW urging those in attendance to get to the ground in plenty of time to cheer on the home players.
Wales have made as bright as start as imaginable in these opening few minutes, particularly getting forward down the left through Taylor whose cross was well plucked out of the air by Loria. This intensity needs to remain for the next 87 minutes or so.
Edwards the most advanced player for Wales, with Davies sending a near-perfect pass through for his teammate. A covering player got their first, but this is very positive from the Dragons as they are seeing plenty of the ball in the final third.
Georgia with their first real foray forward, but they do not get too far as a cross into the box goes right the way through and out for a goal kick. Williams has some letters written on his hand, which could relate to the player(s) he is meant to mark from set-piece plays.
Superb pass from King on the right, which is in between goalkeeper and defence but just inches out of Bale's reach. Wales's best opening so far, in what has been a dominant start for the home side at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Georgia performed well in an attacking sense against Ireland a few days back, hitting the woodwork a few times, but it really is backs to the wall at the moment. The Wales play is slick - King working space down the right and sending in a cross which is cleared before Bale can tap home.
GOAL! WALES 1-0 GEORGIA (GARETH BALE)
Bale. For Wales. Again. The Real Madrid superstar finds the net for his nation side for the 25th time, leaving him just three behind record scorer Ian Rush now. It was a deserved goal as far as the Dragons are concerned, coming via a corner kick which Bale simply leapt highest to head home from five yards out.
Georgia finally managing to get a few touches of the ball now, which was not the case prior to Wales's breakthrough goal. The Dragons needs to be careful not to sit back too much not and play the same way they did in the opening 10 minutes.
A fine cross from Bale, coming after some nice trickery, is just about dealt with by Georgia. Vokes had half a chance, too, but could not adjust his feet in time to get a shot on goal. Wales looking very impressive so far.
SHOT! A free kick around 35 yards from goal is the perfect chance for Bale to get supporters out of their seats. It was a rather tame attempt in the end, though, which Loria easily collected right down the middle.
Mchedlidze is flagged for offside, but for just a moment it looked as though he was clean through on goal. Good call by the officials, and perhaps just a sign that Georgia are starting to grow into things a little more.
Wales not at the same level now as they were before the goal, yet they are still comfortable and well in control of this game. Coleman will want a second goal before he can relax a little more, but it is so far so good.
SHOT! This is just about Georgia's brightest moment yet, as a quick free kick - coming after Edwards took out his opponent - allowed Qazaishvili to break forward and fire a shot a yard or so wide of the target.
Weiss will be happy with how things have panned out since his side fell behind. Wales looked good value to score a few at one point, but things have become a little quieter and it is now more of a balanced game. Still no threat to the Wales goal, though.
Georgia are now edging the possession stats which, as touched upon a little earlier, is not all that concerning for Coleman at this point but surely something that he will want to rectify. The Dragons are still the team looking more likely to find a second of the match.
Davies wins back possession for Wales and feeds Bale, who is allowed to run half the length of the field. Kvirkvelia did really well to stick with his opponent and ensure that it is only a corner, and not a goal, for Wales.
Georgia again taking their turn to knock the ball around the pitch in non-dangerous areas. Wales will be happy with things as they stand, but there will be one or two nerves around the Cardiff City Stadium should there be one goal in it come the last 15 minutes.
CLOSE! Georgia have just given their opponents a warning sign, as Ananidze's free kick from 20 yards out - coming after King appeared to handle the ball - skimmed the bar on its way over. That's four times the Crusaders have found the woodwork in their last two outings.
SAVE! An impressive Georgia attack almost has an end product, with the ball being worked from the left to a central position, where Gvilia sets himself up for a shot which Hennessey kept out in a rather routine manner in the end.
No question that it is the visitors who have been the more impressive over the past 10 minutes or so, skimming the bar with one shot and testing Hennessey with another. Wales could probably do with half time to simply regather.
Bale's used his long throw a couple of times in this first half, but it was easily dealt with on both occasions - unlike in Vienna a few days ago. The Dragons finally starting to find their feet now after an underwhelming 20-minute display.
A flat spell in the game now as neither side can really keep the ball on the deck. Bale tries his best to produce an audacious flick, but yet again his direct opponent defends the situation well. Three minutes to go until half time in South Wales.
SAVE! Andy King maybe takes on the wrong choice but opting to shoot rather than playing in Gunter, but Loria makes a real hash of his save and the ball bobbles narrowly wide of the target. Closest Wales have come to a second.
Bale takes another long throw, which Vokes this time meets but can only direct wide of the target. Kvirkvelia was a little lucky to avoid conceding a free kick prior to that when halting Vokes's run, with half time now just moments away.
HALF TIME: WALES 1-0 GEORGIA
Wales head into the interval a goal to the good at the Cardiff City Stadium, courtesy of Gareth Bale's headed goal 10 minutes in - his 25th for the Dragons, leaving him just three behind record scorer Ian Rush. Georgia did improve from that point on but could not find a way through.
The hosts started the game very brightly and were looking to get at their opponents right from the off, with their breakthrough moment taking just 10 minutes to arrive. A Joe Ledley corner was met by Gareth Bale in a central position for the Real Madrid forward to head home - his 25th goal for Wales, leaving him just three behind record scorer Ian Rush.
Wales showed no real signs of slowing down after edging ahead, coming close to adding a second to their tally when Bale's free kick dipped off the surface but was easily handled by Giorgi Loria. Georgia are certainly no whipping boys, though, as their Group D results have gone to show, and they arguably had the better of the remainder of the first half. Valeri Qazaishvili blasted away the visitors' first shot of the match following a quickly taken free kick, which did little to trouble Wayne Hennessey between the sticks.
The Crusaders had pushed Republic of Ireland all the way just a few days ago, even hitting the woodwork a few times as they fell to an unfortunate 1-0 defeat, and they once again skimmed the frame of the goal through Jano Ananidze's free kick 34 minutes in. If any side was going to find a second goal of the contest prior to the break then it was Georgia, ranked 137 in the world, as Valeriane Gvilia was the latest to test Hennessey with a fairly tame attempt.
Wales did slowly begin to find their way once again as the half reached its conclusion, with Andy King - filling in for the injured Aaron Ramsey for third game running - taking rang from 20 yards out when he perhaps would have had better luck slotting in teammate Chris Gunter. So plenty still to play for in the second half, then, with both managers perhaps thinking of making a change at this midway point.
WALES SUBS: Williams, Davies, Collins, Dummett, Huws, MacDonald, Crofts, Robson-Kanu, Bradshaw, Cotterill, Lawrence
GEORGIA SUBS: Kvaskhvadze, Makaridze, Dvali, Dvalishvili, Kvilitaia, Katcharava, Parunashvili, Tsiskaridze, Skhirtladze, Kobakhidze, Jigauri, Papunashvili
RESTART! Georgia, who did improve more and more against Ireland a few days ago, get us back under way at the Cardiff City Stadium. No side has managed to score a competitive goal here in two years, so the visitors with it all to do.
Not really sure Coleman will be too happy with his side cruising like they were for a good 25 minutes in that first half. The opening 10 minutes set the benchmark, and they really need to find those levels again prior to the hour mark.
SHOT! Positive enough start to the half for Wales as Bale feed the ball to Taylor down the left, who in turn picks out Edwards inside the box. The Wolves man got a little under the ball and sent his shot over the bar.
Bale has produced some superb trickery at times this evening, but he has been unable to really carve open a chance for any of his teammates. Still time for that to change, but still the Dragons are relying on the Madrid man's goal 10 minutes in.
Taylor's cross has too much on it for Loria to deal with - the Georgia keeper rather fumbling the ball but thankfully seeing a player in a white shirt clear up the danger. The game has remained flat, bar Edwards' shot, since the restart.
SHOT! Some decent work from Okriashvil, who turns on the edge of the box to find some space and blast a shot a yard or so wide of the post. Georgia are looking good value to register a goal this evening, while Wales are unable to get out of first gear.
GOAL! WALES 1-1 GEORGIA (TORNIKE OKRIASHVILI)
It's been coming. I said just moments ago that Georgia have looked good value for a goal since going behind, and they are now level at the Cardiff City Stadium. Wales have shipped a home goal in a competitive game for the first time in two years, as Tornike Okriashvili ghosted in completely unmarked to head beyond Hennessey.
The Dragons just cannot get out of first gear, and Coleman must surely be thinking of a change - Huws for Edwards or King, perhaps. The good news is that 30 minutes remain and that is more than enough time to find a winning goal from this position.
WALES SUB! Bale sends a shot narrowly over the bar, which allows Coleman to bring on his first back-up option. Robson-Kanu is summoned, taking the place of Andy King with 28 minutes to play.
YELLOW CARD! A second caution of the evening for a Georgia player, as Valeriane Gvilia brings down Ledley to enter the referee's book. Ledley showed a great turn of pace to work that situation, and Bale's free kick was only narrowly over the bar.
So much better from Wales, as Gunter's ball somehow goes all the way through without a telling touch. Georgia's leveller was a shock to the system, but there is still 25 minutes to go at the Cardiff City Stadium.
SAVE! Wales have looked lively since that leveller from Georgia but it is the visitors who have come closest to a second, as Ananidze's drive had to be palmed aside by Hennessey. What a game we have on our hands now!
WALES SUB! David Cotterill is introduce in place of Neil Taylor. Cotterill was one of the stars of that win over Cyprus here near enough two years ago to the day, and his attacking play down the left is going to be vital now.
We are now into the final 20 minutes and Wales have turned to two of their subs. This is the stage where they cannot afford to panic, knowing that Georgia look just as likely to find a third of the night as they do. Real tension around the ground at the moment.
CHANCE! What a chance! Mchedlidze has 20 yards to run into, with only Hennessey to beat, but he drags his shot horribly wide of the target. That was Georgia's big moment, now Wales need to respon. Huws now on for Ledley.
A belting volley from Bale is helped behind for a corner, which ultimately comes to nothing. Wales should be behind in this match but it is now they who are looking to wrestle some momentum with 15 minutes now left to play at the Cardiff City Stadium.
YELLOW CARD! Okriashvili earns a yellow for frustratingly punting the ball up the field. Cotterill delivers a free kick into the box which the keeper easily collects. Inevitably, Loria takes an age over releasing the ball.
A better cross from Cotterill this time, but Loria is again at the end of it to help his defence. From saying there is 30 minutes left, there is now just 10 to go in South Wales. A huge moment in the qualifying campaign for the Dragons.
OFF THE BAR! Gvilia curls a shot inches wide of Hennessey's post, as the chances keep on coming for the visitors. There was better still to come, with Daushvili rifling a shot against the crossbar with the Wales keeper beaten.
YELLOW CARD! Georgia deserve to win this, make no mistake about it. Wales living off scraps at the moment, but when you have Bale on the pitch anything is possible. The forward turns on the pace and takes the ball past Guram Kashia, who was quick to bring him down for a yellow.
CLOSE! Bale takes on the free kick, which is sent inches - inches! - wide. That spurs on the home crowd, who can sense momentum finally swinging back their way. Superb second half here, with the game well in the balance.
SAVE! Robson-Kanu turns in the box - where have we seen that before?! - but is shot is kept out by Loria. Wales have been knocking on the door for a few minutes not but just cannot find that clear-cut chance.
Cotterill's clearance is poor and Kakabadze takes on a shot-to-nothing, which Hennessey easily keeps out. Both teams really going for the win, with Georgia making the most of gaps at the back. The best chances falling the visitors' way.
Just three minutes to be added on here - and we are more than half way through them. Wales unable to create anything of note, with Georgia looking comfortable enough. What a huge result this is looking to be in the context of the Group D standings.
FULL TIME: WALES 1-1 GEORGIA
The full-time whistle sounds at the Cardiff City Stadium and, in the end, you have to say a point is pretty much the most Wales deserved on the balance of things. The Dragons' best spell came in the opening 10 minutes, capped by Bale's goal, but Georgia responded well and probably should have won the game after levelling up prior to the hour mark.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at the Cardiff City Stadium, but before heading off be sure to check out this on-the-whistle report. Reaction will also follow in the coming hours, while updates from Spain's meeting with Albania can be found by clicking here. Enjoy!
