It's Almost Supernatural

Qualification slipping further away from Israel

Israel’s campaign to qualify for their first world cup in 40 years took a step backwards on Saturday night as they were held 1-1 at home to Greece.

Liverpool playmaker Yossi Benayoun played despite not fully recovering from an injury which has kept him out of the Liverpool side for the past 3 weeks. Without Benayoun at his best, Israel struggled to take control and can be considered lucky to have come away with a point.

Switzerland won their game to leapfrog Israel into second place. It could have all been so different had Israel not conceded a last gasp equaliser away to Latvia in October last year.

Israel face Greece again on Wednesday night in a must-win encounter if they hope to win the group and with it, automatic qualification for South Africa 2010.

The winners of the group automatically qualify and the top 8 best runners up proceed to the sudden death qualification play offs.

SA 2010: Israel let it slip 2 minutes from time

Israel's chances of automatic qualification for the world cup in 2010 took a serious knock tonight as they conceded a heart breaking 88th minute equaliser away to Latvia. A victory would have sent Israel top of the log and all but cemented their chances of a top 2 finish.

Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun gave the hosts a a 1-0 lead in the second half but a goal from Kolesnicenko 2 minutes from time left Israel ruing what would have been three consecutive victories on the road.

In the group's other big game, Switzerland managed a great away victory over Greece. The group is thus really tight at the top with Israel a point behind Greece, and Switzerland a point behind Israel.

The next round of games is scheduled for next year March 28, when Israel will face a crunch encounter against Greece.

Israel's World Cup 2010 campaign

Being an, at times crazy, football supporter, I am quite excited about the 2010 World Cup to be staged in South Africa. South Africa as hosts are guaranteed qualification (thankfully, because our failure to qualify for the African Nations Cup would have meant that we would once again not qualify for the next World Cup). The other country that I look out for is, of course, Israel.

The prospect of Israel participating in the 2010 world cup, staged in South Africa, is tantalising. How will the radical element of the Muslim community respond? Will they reveal their extremism and embarrass South Africa on the global stage?

It will also be interesting to see the response of Arab and Muslim countries - will they boycott the tournament? It’s not like they add much in terms of Football ability so I don’t think it will leave the tournament any worse off. But just imagine the prospect of Israel and Iran being drawn in the same World Cup group.

This campaign presents Israel with one of their best chances for qualification since their last appearance almost 40 years ago. Israel is in Group Two of the European sections. The group is bereft of all big European names and the three prime contenders for qualification will be Israel, Switzerland and Greece.

So if world cup qualification occurs regionally, (African groups, European groups, South American groups etc) why does Israel struggle to qualify when they are surrounded by Arab nations not exactly renowned for their footballing (or any sporting) genius?

The answer – Israel’s hostile neighbourhood refuses to allow her to participate in their Middle-Eastern/Asian groups. FIFA really has no choice but to tolerate and appease. I don’t think Israelis would feel very comfortable playing a key qualifier in Teheran!

So, instead of qualifying via the easy route of her regional group, Israel instead has to qualify in the much more difficult European groups. Last time around, Israel narrowly missed out in a daunting group which included France, Ireland and Switzerland.

Israel’s current campaign got off to a bumpy start at home to Switzerland. Switzerland was 2 up with just 20 minutes remaining when Israel managed to pull off a remarkable recovery. It ended 2-2 after a last minute strike from Chelsea (on loan to Portsmouth) striker Ben Sahar. The first goal in the comeback came from Liverpool playmaker Yossi Benayoun.

In their second game of the campaign, Israel beat Moldova 2-1 in Moldova, thanks to strikes from Omer Golan and Klemi Saban.

Last night Israel clinched a critical away victory when they beat Luxembourg 3-1 with goals from Yossi Benayou, Omer Golan and (Israeli Arab) striker Salim Toama. The victory places Israel in a strong position thanks to Luxembourg’s shock earlier victory over Switzerland.

Greece currently tops the group with 9 points and Israel trail by two. The double-header between Israel and Greece could determine who tops the group.

The winner of the group automatically qualifies for the World Cup and the top 8 runners-up will proceed to the play-offs. Finishing second could mean a play-off final against one of the giants of European football. Israel simply must win this group.

Israel's next fixture is Wednesday night away to Latvia. It's another must-win game. The big game that night will be Greece verse Switzerland. A Greek victory will almost rule out Switzerland's chances but will also strengthen their position at the top, so let's hope for a draw.

I am under no illusions of the pressure that Israel’s qualification could bring to the Jews in this country. Accusations of divided loyalties and violent protests will make for an uncomfortable time. But I don’t care. Bring it on . Ya’lla Israel Ya’lla!