Gareji Sagarejo edged Samtredia 3-2 in a pulsating Erovnuli Liga 2 encounter at the Sagarejo Central Stadium on 30 May 2026. The home side moved into the top half of the table with a hard-fought victory that saw them come from behind twice before snatching a late winner.

Match Overview

Both teams entered the match in need of points – Gareji hoping to build momentum after a mid‑table start to the season, Samtredia desperate to escape the relegation zone. The opening stages were frenetic. Samtredia struck first in the 18th minute when a swift counter‑attack caught the Gareji defence flat‑footed, leaving striker Luka Beridze with a simple finish. The home crowd was silenced, but only briefly.

Gareji responded with sustained pressure. Their equaliser came in the 34th minute when midfielder Giorgi Tkeshelashvili fired a low drive from the edge of the box that took a slight deflection past the visiting goalkeeper. The first half ended 1‑1, with the hosts looking the more likely to take the lead.

Key Moments

• 18' – Samtredia take the lead: Beridze capitalises on a quick break.
• 34' – Gareji equalise through Tkeshelashvili’s deflected strike.
• 52' – Samtredia regain the lead: a set‑piece header from centre‑back Davit Mchedlidze.
• 67' – Gareji level again: substitute Lasha Khurtsidze turns in a cross from the right.
• 84' – Winner: Khurtsidze becomes the hero, latching onto a through ball and slotting home.

Tactical Story

Gareji Sagarejo lined up in a 4‑3‑3, pressing high and relying on width from full‑backs. Samtredia, by contrast, sat deeper in a 5‑4‑1, looking to hit on the break. The visitors’ second goal came from a well‑worked corner, exposing Gareji’s occasional vulnerability from dead balls. However, Gareji’s energy in the second half, especially after the introduction of Khurtsidze, proved decisive. His movement unsettled the Samtredia backline, and the two quickfire goals turned the game on its head.

Standout Players

• Lasha Khurtsidze (Gareji) – Came off the bench to score twice and completely change the match. His movement and finishing were top class.
• Giorgi Tkeshelashvili (Gareji) – Controlled the midfield and scored the crucial first equaliser.
• Luka Beridze (Samtredia) – A constant threat, netting the opener and working tirelessly.

Table Impact

The victory lifted Gareji Sagarejo to seventh place in the Erovnuli Liga 2 standings, three points clear of the bottom two. For Samtredia, the defeat leaves them rooted in 14th, four points from safety with ten games remaining. The result provided a significant boost for Gareji’s survival hopes and added more pressure on Samtredia’s faltering campaign.

With this thrilling 3‑2 win, Gareji Sagarejo demonstrated resilience and attacking flair – qualities they will need to maintain if they are to climb further up the table in the latter half of the season.