_a.jpg "צילום: אלי אלגרט")
Yossi Benayoun
Photo: Eli Elgarat
Benayoun: Israel must beat Estonia
Israel is fourth in the group, level on points with third-placed England but three points behind Russia and five adrift of leaders Croatia
Israel must beat Estonia if they are to retain any hope of qualifying for the Euro 2008 finals, captain Yossi Benayoun said on Tuesday.
"We must take all three points... We know that if we don't our chances will have gone," Benayoun told a news conference ahead of Wednesday's Group E qualifying match.
Saturday's goalless draw with England left Israel fourth in the group, level on points with third-placed England but three points behind Russia and five adrift of leaders Croatia.
West Ham United midfielder Benayoun said the players were ready for a tough encounter with Estonia, who have yet to score a goal or collect a point in the seven-team group.
"I would like to win 3-0 or 4-0 but we will have to work very hard against Estonia to get the three points. They will throw everything into defence to try and avoid conceding a goal," Benayoun said.
Israel coach Dror Kashtan said any result other than a win would be disappointing.
"On paper we are favourites, we are better than Estonia, but in that also lies the danger, because in such situations people tend to take things easy," Kashtan said.
