Merani Martvili secured a 2-1 victory over Sioni Bolnisi in their Erovnuli Liga 2 Regular Season - 26 clash on 2026-09-16. The result keeps the hosts four points clear of their visitors at the halfway stage of the campaign. And here's the thing — it wasn't the kind of game that swung one way for ninety minutes. Both sides traded chances, but Merani's clinical edge proved decisive.
D. Khelaia opened the scoring in the 36th minute, giving the home side an early advantage. Sioni responded well, with A. Huskic finding the net in the 57th minute to level matters. The visitors thought they had taken control, but L. Gadilia's strike in the 75th minute restored Merani's lead and ended a barren spell for the home attack.
By then the tempo had shifted noticeably. Merani registered 103 attacks compared to Sioni's 76, though possession sat at 0.5 for both sides. The hosts earned just two corners while the visitors managed four, suggesting a game played more in the final third than through traditional build-up play.
Discipline became an issue as the match progressed. G. Khetsuriani and G. Iakobidze went yellow for Merani in the first half, while Sioni picked up three bookings across the match — A. Tcholokava at 70 minutes, N. Tutashvili at 84, and Gadilia himself in stoppage time. To be fair, neither side showed a red card, which kept the contest balanced when it mattered.
Coaches made several changes to influence the game. V. Kilasonia came on for Merani just before the break, and L. Kadaria joined Sioni in the 57th minute alongside the equaliser. Trailing after 75 minutes, Sioni brought on Kevin and Z. Sitchinava together, while Merani added L. Tsotsonava and S. Kukhianidze in search of closing out the result.
The result moves Merani to 34 points from 25 games, maintaining fourth place with nine wins, seven draws and nine defeats. Sioni remain sixth on 33 points, having won eight times and drawn nine of their 25 outings. A single point separates them now, which means the next meeting between these sides will carry real weight.