Northern Ireland were left frustrated after a scoreless draw with Georgia in the Nations League, with Isaac Price's late penalty saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili. The result leaves Michael O'Neill's youthful side unbeaten and top of their group after four games.
Frustration despite positive window
Irritation was writ large across the faces of players, supporters and manager Michael O'Neill as scoreless parity was confirmed. This youthful team had already emerged as one of the fascinating tales of the Nations League, following a 3-0 win over Ukraine on Friday, a victory away to Georgia, and a draw with Hungary. They had yet to concede a goal in the section.
Northern Ireland's oldest starter for Georgia's visit was the 28-year-old Ciaron Brown, with his partners in a three-man back line aged 20 and 21. The team was blossoming earlier than anticipated, even without the long-term absentee Conor Bradley.
Hosts dominate but fail to break through
Georgia, ranked outside the world's top 70, contained one of its finest players in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but the superstar's first act was to pass the ball straight to Ethan Galbraith in the Northern Ireland midfield. During the nondescript early exchanges, Kvaratskhelia also gifted possession to Jamie Donley.
What football existed in the first half came from the hosts. Ruairi McConville came closest to opening the scoring with a header from Justin Devenny's cross, with Giorgi Mamardashvili not at all convincing in denying him. Georgia responded, an excellent save from Pierce Charles necessary to deny Zuriko Davitashvili. Northern Ireland were frustrated by the wasting of umpteen set plays during the first period.
Northern Ireland should have edged ahead four minutes before the interval, Patrick Kelly instead fluffing his lines having evaded the Georgia defence from Trai Hume's through ball. Kelly appeared in two minds over whether to shoot or play in a teammate, and the visitors seized upon his indecision. The half ended with Isaac Price curling a free-kick into the wrong side of the Georgian side-netting.
Late drama and penalty miss
Price, born in Yorkshire, epitomises Northern Ireland's diligence in sourcing players available through bloodline eligibility. The Manchester-born Charles brothers – Shea, the captain, was once again classy in midfield as Pierce kept goal – do likewise. Galbraith was once a boy wonder in Belfast before being coaxed to Manchester United as a teenager.
Galbraith limped off with 25 minutes to play, in what constituted an obvious blow to O'Neill. With fatigue apparent across the pitch, O'Neill turned to a 36-year-old who plies his club trade at Stevenage to beef up the attack. Josh Magennis edges ever close to 100 caps, with this No 93.
Kvaratskhelia had been strangely subdued for 79 minutes, but striding forward from midfield, the Paris Saint-Germain forward cracked a 20-yard drive just over the crossbar. Magennis was handed a golden chance but Mamardashvili saved. A melee from the subsequent corner saw the crossbar struck but, more significantly, the video assistant referee's attention drawn to a kick in the face of McConville by Budu Zivzivadze. A spot-kick was correctly awarded. Up stepped Price, whose penalty was saved, low to his right, by Mamardashvili. As Shea Charles curled wide, they had passed up their moment. Georgia, themselves weary, stood firm.
