Israel

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England

 

 

European Championship 2008 Qualifier, Group E
6.30pm, Saturday 24 March 2007
Ramat Gan Stadium, Tel Aviv
Current group standings - click here
Archive: England's record with Israel - click here

England couldn’t find a winner in Tel Aviv as they were held to a goalless draw by Israel in a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier.

Jamie Carragher headed against the crossbar in the second half and substitute Jermain Defoe was denied by a brave block just seconds after coming on.

But Steve McClaren’s men were unable to complete the job despite dominating possession - and left the field frustrated.

The result is a blow to the Three Lions’ hopes of qualifying for the finals in Austria & Switzerland but the point at least keeps them in contention in Group E.

There was also a positive for McClaren in the performance of Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon. But the overall feeling will no doubt be one of disappointment at missing out on victory.

It was certainly a tough test against an Israeli side that had lost only once at home in the last three years.

England had to weather a frantic opening from the hosts as the power of Toto Tamuz down the left channel caused problems.

Tamuz sent a wild shot over the bar after three minutes and it was clear the home side were not planning a defensive display.

The Beitar Jerusalem striker was at the heart of everything they did and had two more chances in the opening half that had England hearts a flutter.

First he drilled a low left-foot shot that Paul Robinson did well to save cleanly after 27 minutes. And then he flashed a 28th minute header narrowly wide from a right-wing cross.

If Tamuz was Israel’s danger man then England’s was flying winger Lennon.

He used his pace well, tearing away down the left wing after nine minutes only to shoot over the bar.

He also crossed for Wayne Rooney to send a header on target after 17 minutes and then beat three men again before the ball fell for Steven Gerrard to shoot from the edge of the box.

That volley was blocked but Lennon’s pace and trickery was comfortably the highlight for the Three Lions.

Thanks to him, England did have chances - but somehow the ball wouldn’t go in.

Lampard was unlucky when his falling volley from a Gerrard cross was well saved by keeper Dudu Aouate after an hour. And the Chelsea man also glanced a header agonisingly wide minutes later, thanks to yet another tremendous cross from Lennon.

England went close once more when Andy Johnson got on the end of a superb Gerrard cross from the right, only to see it bounce wide of the far post.

And at this stage, with 25 minutes to go, the Three Lions stepped up the pressure. And they came unbelievably close to grabbing a winner when Carragher’s towering header from a Lampard corner in the 69th minute cannoned back off the crossbar.

Head Coach McClaren brought on Micah Richards, Stewart Downing and Defoe in a bid to win the game late on. But although Defoe went close it just wouldn’t happen, with Bolton's Tal Ben Haim outstanding at the back for Israel.

So now it is time to regroup and prepare for Wednesday's game against Andorra in Barcelona. Victory there has become doubly important.

Teams

Israel: Dudu Awat, Yuval Spungin, Tal Ben Haim, Shimon Gershon, Yoav Ziv, Yossi Benayoun (c), Arik Benado, Walid Badir, Ben Shushan, Pini Balili (Ben Sahar 70), Tot Tamuz (Dani Bodarv 76)

Substitutes: Salim Toama, Gal Alberman, Omer Golan, Yigal Antebi, Nir Davidovic

England: Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur), Phil Neville (Everton) (Micah Richards (Manchester City) 70), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur) (Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough) 83), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Andrew Johnson (Everton) (Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur) 80),

Substitutes Not Used: Ben Foster (Watford on loan),  Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle United),

Match Officials:

Referee: Tom Ovrebo (Norway)
Assistant Referees: Geir Holen and Dag Nebben (Norway)
Fourth Official: Brage Sandmoen (Norway)

Kit Colours:

Israel: Light blue shirts, white shorts, light blue socks
Goalkeeper all black

England: White shirts, blue shorts and white socks
Goalkeeper, Purple shirt, purple shorts, white socks