Last update - 00:00 25/11/2007
Israel placed in relatively easy World Cup 2010 qualifying group
By Haaretz Service
Israel was placed in a relatively light-weight World Cup 2010 qualifying group Sunday, giving Israel a decent chance of at least advancing to a playoff for its first World Cup berth since Mexico hosted the tournament in 1970.
The results of a raffle held Sunday placed Israel in Group 2, along with reigning European champion Greece, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia, and Luxemburg.
The country which places first in the group will advance to the World Cup in South Africa automatically, while the country which places second will advance to a playoff.
While Greece took the European title in 2004, its play was qualifying play for the 2006 World Cup was disappointing. Greece has, however, performed better in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, defeating Turkey on the road and advancing in what was considered a tough qualifying group.
Switzerland and Israel shared a group in the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup, with both matches ending in a draw ? 1-1 in Switzerland, and 2-2 in Ramat Gan. Switzerland ultimately advanced to the tournament, along with France.
Moldova, Latvia, and Luxemburg are considered to be relatively weak teams, although could still be tough opponents for Israel to face on the road.