TEL AVIV (AFP) - Israel upset Russia 2-1 here Saturday to breathe fresh life into England's desperate last ditch bid to qualify for Euro 2008.
The result put England's destiny back in their own hands with a win against Croatia in their final Group E qualifier on Wednesday enough to see them qualify at Russia's expense.
Croatia, who are now through to next year's finals ahead of their match against Macedonia later Saturday, lead the standings on 26 points from England (23 points) and Russia (22), with Guus Hiddink's men expected to get all three points from their final qualifier against minnows Andorra.
Israel, who have no chance of qualifying for the tournament, opened in a storm with RC Genk striker Elyaniv Barda scoring his first goal for the national side after just 10 minutes.
But Russia piled on the pressure and their efforts paid off when Diniyar Bilyaletdinov equalised after 61 minutes.
The hosts, without injured captain Yossi Benayoun, were close to scoring the winner after 81 minutes when Gal Alberman sent the ball inches from the post after a corner kick.
But Russia's hopes were dashed when Israel shocked the visitors after Hapoel Petah Tikva striker Omer Golan grabbed the injury time winner.
|
E. Barda 10'
|
1 - 0 |
|
1 - 1 |
61' D. Bilyaletdinov
|
|
|
O. Golan 90'+2
|
2 - 1 |
| Player | Bookings |
|---|---|
| D. Aouate | |
| T. Ben Haim | |
| Y. Ziv | |
| D. Keinan | |
| Y. Shpungin | |
| T. Cohen | |
| G. Alberman |
 45+1'
|
M. Buzaglo
|
|
|
B. Sahar
|
53'
|
| E. Barda |
 10'
|
|
B. Itzhaki
|
|
| Coach: D. Kashtan | |
| Player | Bookings |
|---|---|
| V. Gabulov | |
|
V. Berezutski
|
|
| S. Ignashevich | |
| A. Berezutski | |
| A. Anyukov |
77'
|
| Y. Zhirkov | |
|
I. Semshov
|
|
| D. Bilyaletdinov |
61'
|
| K. Zyryanov | |
| A. Arshavin | |
|
R. Pavlyuchenko
|
|
| Coach: G. Hiddink | |
| Player | Bookings |
|---|---|
|
for B. Itzhaki 62' |
|
|
for M. Buzaglo 64' |
|
|
for B. Sahar 69' |
90+2'
|
| Player | Bookings |
|---|---|
|
for I. Semshov 30' |
|
|
for R. Pavlyuchenko 52' |
|
|
for V. Berezutski 68' |
|
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