Israeli player Yoav Ziv (R)
צילום: איי אף פי
Israel beats Andorra in Euro 2008 qualifier match
Israeli team scores 2-0 win over minnows Andorra in atrocious playing conditions. Win temporarily sends Israel to top of the group E with 17 points from eight matches
Israel kept up the pressure in Euro 2008 Group E on Wednesday with a 2-0 win over minnows Andorra in atrocious playing conditions.
The win temporarily sent Israel to the top of the group with 17 points from eight matches. Croatia were playing second-placed Russia and Estonia hosting England in other group matches later. Two of these four will qualify for the finals.
Constant rain during the day soaked the pitch and almost cancelled out Israel's clear technical advantage as passing and ball control became impossible in the numerous puddles scattered around the small ground.
Israel scored a goal either side of halftime, both from headers, to secure the points and set up a much-anticipated clash against England in their next qualifier at Wembley on Sept 8.
Colautti and Tamuz vs. Andorra players (Photo: AP)
The pitch conditions contributed greatly to Israel's first goal in the 38th minute when Andorra goalkeeper Koldo ran out to collect the ball but missed it as it stopped dead in a puddle.
That allowed Roberto Colautti to pounce on the ball, run to the byline and cross it from the left for Toto Tamuz to storm in and head home from close range.
Colautti scored the second in the 53rd minute when Barak Yitzhaki crossed from the right as the Argentine-born striker dived low to head in.
As the rain stopped towards the end of the match, Israel's defence saw off any potential threat and goalkeeper Dudu Aouate was not even tested by an Andorra penalty in the 81st minute when substitute Juli Sanchez shot low and wide of the target.
