Underdog Israel battles Ireland to 2:2 tie in World Cup prelim

[Colorado Blue]

DUBLIN, Ireland - Israel's World Cup qualifying match against Ireland ended in a 2:2 tie in Dublin on Saturday, with the grueling contest decided after seven minutes of overtime.

The draw gives Israel 11 points in Group 4, while Ireland has 10. Switzerland leads the group with 12 points after a 3-1 victory over the Faeroe Islands. France has 10 points, but did not play Saturday.

Ireland had seemed to dominate early on, as Ian Harte scored a goal in the sixth minute from a free kick. Five minutes later Robbie Keane scored a second goal for the Irish team. Keane sustained a shoulder injury and was replaced at the 27th minute. Against the robust play of the Irish, the Israeli team hardly touched the ball and exhibited a very weak defense. At the game's 22nd minute Israel managed to stage its first organized attack on the Irish goal, quickly dispelled by a tight Irish defense.

Israel's Abbas Suan made the team's first goal attempt at the 32nd minute, aiming above the top goal-post. The small group of Israeli fans kept cheering and supporting from the stands. Israel's Avi Yehiel scored the team's first goal in the 40th minute, bringing the score to 2:1. The team equalized the score with a penalty goal by Avi Nimni just before the end of the first half.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/584235.html

[soda]

1. wrong forum?

I think you get more response if you put this in the sports section

[Colorado Blue]

2. Well, actually, you're probably right:) But, since lots of

people interested in Israel read here routinely, I put it here.

[soda]

3. All the way

Well i hope Israels football team make it all the way to the finals and get beaten by spain ha ha

[Colorado Blue]

4. Hah! If Israel gets into the finals I will plotz. It would be

awesome though.

Spain is really strong, yes?

My old man, Son of Luftwaffe Pilot, is proud of the German team:)