EURO 2008 QUALIFIERS
After England were defeated 2-1 against Russia in Moscow a couple of weeks ago, England's hopes of qualifying were out of their hands and all but over. Their only hope of qualifying would be for Israel to beat or draw against Russia in their next game and then for England to avoid defeat against Croatia at Wembley on November 21st. But if Russia beat Israel then England would be out and won'y qualify for Euro 2008. So for the last couple of weeks England fans have turned themselves into temporary Israel fans and, last night, pubs and clubs across the nation were packed with fans hoping to see Israel win or draw against Russia to keep England's qualification hopes alive.
Israel scored a last-minute winner in last night's game now all England have to do is draw or win against Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday. Israel's hero, Golan, now wants to play in the English Premier League. The Maccabi Petah Tikva striker earned a Mercedes from a British bookmaker who pledged the gift to the Israeli scorer of a winning goal
England have only lost one qualifying game at home since the year 2000..
Israel hero Golan wants move to Premier League after handing Euro lifeline to England
17th November 2007
Daily Mail
ISRAEL 2-1 RUSSIA
Barda 10......Bilyaletdinov 61
Golan...90
Israel hero Omer Golan is dreaming of a move to the Premier League after his stoppage-time goal gave England a shock chance to qualify for Euro 2008.
The Maccabi Petah Tikva striker earned a Mercedes from a British bookmaker who pledged the gift to the Israeli scorer of a winning goal — but also the gratitude of a nation and reprieved England manager Steve McClaren.
A last-minute goal gives Israel victory over Russia last night, and also helping England in the process.
But what Golan really wants is to play in England and he hopes his crucial strike will attract more than thanks for a result which leaves McClaren's team now needing just a draw
against already-qualified Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday to qualify for Euro 2008.
Golan said: "Most of all I did it for our team and our fans, but if it makes people in England happy, then I'm pleased. I want England to qualify and so do all my team-mates in the Israel side.
"My dream since I was a boy has been to play in the Premier League and I hope that what the clubs have seen today will help me fulfil that dream."
Golan's goal, his first in a competitive international, provided a sensational climax to a game which had seemed likely to end in a Russian victory, not least when Dmitry Sychev burst through in the 90th minute, only for his shot to hit the outside of the post.
But all the pre-match gossip of a cosy arrangement between two nations with such close links, not least through Chelsea owner and Russian FA benefactor Roman Abramovich, proved totally unfounded as Israel took the game to Russia.
Israel head coach Dror Kashtan said: "If someone greets you with gratitude and says well done, we'll accept that.
"But we have our own commitments. We never dealt with what the English might need and the Russians might want. We wanted to play good, positive football with a young, talented and hungry team, to win the game and to give our fans enjoyment."
Russia coach Guus Hidd ink called on Croatia, who have already qualified despite losing in Macedonia last night, to show the same commitment at Wembley as Israel had done. A draw would see both England and Croatia through, but Hidd ink insists Slaven Bilic's team will do all they can to provide one final twist to Group E.
Hidd ink said: "I expect that they will go and play a very committed game. That's normal in international football: you play for yourselves and for your sport.
"If you watched Israel tonight, defensive but fighting, fighting, fighting, I expect Croatia to show their commitment and their quality. I think Croatia will win. They have the team to go there and win."
Israel fully deserved the lead given to them by Elyaniv Barda's 10th-minute goal and should have been playing against 10 men soon after when Sergei Ignashevich was saved from a red card for a professional foul by an assistant referee who wrongly raised the offside flag against Maor Buzaglo. Hidd ink started making substitutions as early as the 30th minute and Russia gradually took charge of the game.
When Diniyar Bilyaletdinov equalised with half an hour to go, it seemed Hidd ink had pulled off another masterstroke to match the victory from behind over England in Moscow which had put qualification back into Russia's own hands.
But Israel stood firm and hit Hidd ink and Russia with a sucker punch just seconds after Sychev had hit the post.
Hidd ink said: "We are very, very disappointed. We were close. We were the team which was dominating the game but if you don't turn domination into goals, then, in the end, you will not win."
Kashtan added: "What you have seen today is a young, fresh hungry Israel team which has a bright future.
"In a match watched by the whole of Europe and parts of Asia and the US, the lads played really well in the first half.
"Our fitness levels dropped in the second half and Russia made attacking substitutions, but even though they dominated, they did not create many chances.
"We stood our ground really well. I'm delighted that we were able to score from a counter-attack at the right moment and win the game."
But not half as delighted as McClaren and his England squad, who now have a golden, unexpected opportunity to bring a happy ending to a dramatic qualification campaign.
The Group E current standings (Top 2 qualify)
Croatia - 26 points (Qualified)
England - 23
Russia - 21
Israel - 20
Macedonia - 14
Estonia - 7
Andorra - 0
dailymail.co.uk
After England were defeated 2-1 against Russia in Moscow a couple of weeks ago, England's hopes of qualifying were out of their hands and all but over. Their only hope of qualifying would be for Israel to beat or draw against Russia in their next game and then for England to avoid defeat against Croatia at Wembley on November 21st. But if Russia beat Israel then England would be out and won'y qualify for Euro 2008. So for the last couple of weeks England fans have turned themselves into temporary Israel fans and, last night, pubs and clubs across the nation were packed with fans hoping to see Israel win or draw against Russia to keep England's qualification hopes alive.
Israel scored a last-minute winner in last night's game now all England have to do is draw or win against Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday. Israel's hero, Golan, now wants to play in the English Premier League. The Maccabi Petah Tikva striker earned a Mercedes from a British bookmaker who pledged the gift to the Israeli scorer of a winning goal
England have only lost one qualifying game at home since the year 2000..
Israel hero Golan wants move to Premier League after handing Euro lifeline to England
17th November 2007
Daily Mail
ISRAEL 2-1 RUSSIA
Barda 10......Bilyaletdinov 61
Golan...90
Israel hero Omer Golan is dreaming of a move to the Premier League after his stoppage-time goal gave England a shock chance to qualify for Euro 2008.
The Maccabi Petah Tikva striker earned a Mercedes from a British bookmaker who pledged the gift to the Israeli scorer of a winning goal — but also the gratitude of a nation and reprieved England manager Steve McClaren.
A last-minute goal gives Israel victory over Russia last night, and also helping England in the process.
But what Golan really wants is to play in England and he hopes his crucial strike will attract more than thanks for a result which leaves McClaren's team now needing just a draw
against already-qualified Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday to qualify for Euro 2008.
Golan said: "Most of all I did it for our team and our fans, but if it makes people in England happy, then I'm pleased. I want England to qualify and so do all my team-mates in the Israel side.
"My dream since I was a boy has been to play in the Premier League and I hope that what the clubs have seen today will help me fulfil that dream."
Golan's goal, his first in a competitive international, provided a sensational climax to a game which had seemed likely to end in a Russian victory, not least when Dmitry Sychev burst through in the 90th minute, only for his shot to hit the outside of the post.
But all the pre-match gossip of a cosy arrangement between two nations with such close links, not least through Chelsea owner and Russian FA benefactor Roman Abramovich, proved totally unfounded as Israel took the game to Russia.
Israel head coach Dror Kashtan said: "If someone greets you with gratitude and says well done, we'll accept that.
"But we have our own commitments. We never dealt with what the English might need and the Russians might want. We wanted to play good, positive football with a young, talented and hungry team, to win the game and to give our fans enjoyment."
Russia coach Guus Hidd ink called on Croatia, who have already qualified despite losing in Macedonia last night, to show the same commitment at Wembley as Israel had done. A draw would see both England and Croatia through, but Hidd ink insists Slaven Bilic's team will do all they can to provide one final twist to Group E.
Hidd ink said: "I expect that they will go and play a very committed game. That's normal in international football: you play for yourselves and for your sport.
"If you watched Israel tonight, defensive but fighting, fighting, fighting, I expect Croatia to show their commitment and their quality. I think Croatia will win. They have the team to go there and win."
Israel fully deserved the lead given to them by Elyaniv Barda's 10th-minute goal and should have been playing against 10 men soon after when Sergei Ignashevich was saved from a red card for a professional foul by an assistant referee who wrongly raised the offside flag against Maor Buzaglo. Hidd ink started making substitutions as early as the 30th minute and Russia gradually took charge of the game.
When Diniyar Bilyaletdinov equalised with half an hour to go, it seemed Hidd ink had pulled off another masterstroke to match the victory from behind over England in Moscow which had put qualification back into Russia's own hands.
But Israel stood firm and hit Hidd ink and Russia with a sucker punch just seconds after Sychev had hit the post.
Hidd ink said: "We are very, very disappointed. We were close. We were the team which was dominating the game but if you don't turn domination into goals, then, in the end, you will not win."
Kashtan added: "What you have seen today is a young, fresh hungry Israel team which has a bright future.
"In a match watched by the whole of Europe and parts of Asia and the US, the lads played really well in the first half.
"Our fitness levels dropped in the second half and Russia made attacking substitutions, but even though they dominated, they did not create many chances.
"We stood our ground really well. I'm delighted that we were able to score from a counter-attack at the right moment and win the game."
But not half as delighted as McClaren and his England squad, who now have a golden, unexpected opportunity to bring a happy ending to a dramatic qualification campaign.
The Group E current standings (Top 2 qualify)
Croatia - 26 points (Qualified)
England - 23
Russia - 21
Israel - 20
Macedonia - 14
Estonia - 7
Andorra - 0
dailymail.co.uk