Republic of Ireland

GEORGIA STILL 'KEEN' ON WALES GAME

The Georgian football federation have told Wales they still want to play their friendly at Swansea next week despite the war raging in their country - while the Republic of Ireland want to move their World Cup qualifier in September away from the capital Tbilisi.

The Football Association of Wales have been monitoring the situation for the past few days, and privately felt the chances of the Georgians making it to the Liberty Stadium on August 20 were remote following their conflict with Russia.

But after discussions between the two associations, the Georgians have asked for a decision over whether the match can be played to be delayed until Tuesday.

FAW press officer Ceri Stennett issued a statement saying: "There will be further talks regarding the Wales v Georgia friendly on Wednesday.

"The Georgian FA are still very keen to play the match, but much will depend on events over the next 36 hours.

"We would not expect to make any further comment until the conversation on Wednesday."

Meanwhile, the Football Association of Ireland wants to change the venue of next month's World Cup qualifier.

Reports suggest that Russian forces have launched attacks around the capital, Tbilisi, where the match is scheduled to take place on September 6.

The FAI have now written to FIFA, UEFA and the Georgian Football Association to request a change of venue for the tie.

A statement on the FAI's website read: "Further to discussions with the Department of Foreign Affairs, who are currently advising against non-essential travel to Georgia, the FAI has today written to FIFA, UEFA and the Georgian FA, to indicate that its preferred option would be to find an alternative venue on the same date for the Group 8 World Cup qualifier against Georgia in Tbilisi.

"The FAI will keep fans informed of any decision from FIFA on this matter and will continue to work with FIFA to enable them to make a timely decision."

Many of the Georgian players are playing overseas in some of Europe's top league, so it would not be too difficult to assemble a squad without having to fly from Georgia.

Of the current Georgia squad, eight are based in their homeland, but there are seven playing in Russia, three in Germany, and one each in France and Italy.

Their captain is AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze, who has 62 caps, while vice-captain Levan Kobiashvili - capped 71 times - is with Schalke in Germany.

The Georgians clearly want to show that they can complete international fixtures, with the situation involving the Republic and their World Cup qualifiers completely different.

But if the Georgians can assemble a squad of their players from around Europe, they clearly want to play in Wales and show that they can carry out fixtures ahead of the World Cup matches.

Wales have already decided they will not seek a replacement country to take up the Swansea date if the Georgians are unable to fulfil the fixture.

The FAW are acutely conscious of the humanitarian issues that must take precedence and they feel that to invite another nation would be insensitive.

From Wales boss John Toshack's point of view, the Swansea match was playing second fiddle in any case to the under-21 match in Wrexham the same night against Romania.

If the Wales youngsters can win that, they will qualify for the UEFA championship play-offs in November, with a place in next summer's finals in Sweden in their grasp.

Toshack and under-21 boss Brian Flynn had selected their squads accordingly, with Flynn having first call on the glut of bright youngsters that have forced their way into Toshack's senior plans.

If the Georgia game is called off, Toshack will hold a low-key training get-together in south Wales instead and throw all his resources behind Flynn's team.

The FAW spokesman added: "Because of the situation in the Georgia/South Russia region, we are keeping in close contact with the Georgia Football Federation.

"At this time, the international at Swansea is still scheduled to go ahead."

The match is Wales' last before their World Cup campaign starts next month with a home game against Azerbaijan.