UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Israel prepare to face England at Wembley

Record ID: 395620

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Israel prepare to face England at Wembley
  • Date: 6th September 2007
  • Summary: PRACTICE SESSION
  • Embargoed: 21st September 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA8U8JEVYYEIYCZ64Y1JDB01MNI
  • Story Text: Israel are hoping to squeeze a draw out of the Euro 2008 qualifier against England in London on Saturday (September 8).
    Speaking at a training session on Wednesday (September 5) goalkeeper David "Dudu" Aouate and midfielder Yossi Benayoun both said they would settle for sharing the points.
    Israel have had a good qualifying tournament so far, gathering 17 points from eight games, level with leaders Croatia, who have played seven matches.
    England have struggled under head coach Steve McClaren and drew 0-0 in Tel Aviv in March and are three points behind Israel with a game in hand. The match will be the first competitive game at the new Wembley Stadium in north London and the Israelis are hoping to spoil England's party.
    "We don't need to be looking at them at all. I think we should be looking at ourselves," said Aouate.
    "I think a draw would be a good thing as far as we are concerned.
    But, then again, we'll say 'draw' and suddenly, if we have a possibility of winning the game we will win it. But a draw would be a good outcome as far as we're concerned," he added.
    Benayoun, who recently transferred to English Premier league leaders Liverpool, echoed the 'keeper's sentiments.
    "We drew in Israel; 0-0 was a great result for us and we'll be happy to defend again and finish with the same result. You don't expect us to come to England, to Wembley, to play an open game and lose the game after 20 minutes, to be 3-0 down. So we need to defend, to work hard in defence and to work on quick attack and hopefully to steal some little goal and draw, or win, the game," he said.
    England will be missing some key players for the Israel match.
    Steven Gerrard did not train with the England squad because of his broken toe and is still a major doubt. McClaren has also been deprived of midfielders David Beckham and Frank Lampard and striker Wayne Rooney while forward Peter Crouch is suspended.
    Group E
    standing Pld Pts
    Croatia 7 17
    Israel 8 17
    Russia 7 15
    England 7 14
    F.Y.R. Macedonia 7 7
    Estonia 8 3
    Andorra 8 0
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