Last update - 00:00 28/03/2007
Israel obliterates Estonia 4-0 in Euro 2008 qualifier
By The Associated Press and Haaretz Staff
Israel made a significant step forward in the Euro 2008 qualifying games on Wednesday as it demolished its weak Estonian opponent 4-0 in a home match in Ramat Gan.
Teenage striker Ben Sahar scored two goals, while Roberto Colautti and Idan Tal, both back from suspension after the 0-0 draw against England on Saturday, also scored.
Sahar replaced Ben Shushan in the 65th minute, and the 17-year-old Chelsea striker put Israel up 3-0 with a chip over Estonia goalkeeper Mart Poom from inside the five-meter box after a cross from Tal in the 77th.
Sahar added the other in the 79th when he scored from inside the area.
Tal scored Israel's first goal in the 20th minute. The Estonian defense had failed to properly clear a cross from Tal Ben Haim and the Bolton midfielder fired the ball in with a powerful shot from just inside the area.
In the 31st, Shushan put a curling cross into the six-yard box and Colautti headed home at the far post.
Toto Tamuz had a chance after just two minutes, when Yossi Benayoun knocked the ball down to the Nigerian-born striker. But his soft shot at the Estonian goal from inside the area was easily stopped by Estonian goalkeeper Poom.
The Estonians came strong in the second half but were still unable to break down the Israeli defense.
Their first substantial opportunity came in the 65th when Andres Oper ran onto a through ball, but his chip went over Israel goalkeeper Dudu Awat's crossbar.
Six minutes later, Tarmo Kink came close with a near post header, which was saved by Awat.
Israel now has 11 points in Group E, while Estonia stays with zero.
Lineups:
Israel: Dudu Awat, Yuval Shprungin, Tal Ben Haim, Shimon Gershon, Yoav Ziv, Idan Tal (Salim Toamah, 87), Walid Badier, Amit Ben Shushan (Gal Alberman, 70), Yossi Benayoun, Toto Tamuz (Ben Sahar, 65), Roberto Colautti.
Estonia: Mart Poom, Tihhon Iov, Marek Lemslau, Alo Barengrub, Dmitri Kruglov, Aleksandr Dmitrijev, Andres Oper, Taavi Rahn (Tarmo Kink, 41), Tarmo Neemelo (Oliver Konsa, 61), Joel Lindpere (Gert Kams, 79), Ragnar Klavan.