Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., March 25, 2007 Nisan 6, 5767 | | Israel Time: 02:10 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Print Edition
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National Arts & Leisure Anglo File Sports Travel  
Magazine Week's End
Q&A
Business Underground Jewish World Real Estate Advertising  
Bookmark to del.icio.us
Kashtan plays a waiting game over team
By Moshe Boker

Dror Kashtan will have a lot to sleep on to night - if he sleeps at all that is - as he tries to figure out his starting eleven for tomorrow's make-or-break Euro 2008 qualifier against England.

The Israel coach revealed yesterday that eight players are certain of a place and added that he would only decide on the remaining three after a late night consultation with his assistant Moshe Sinai. Either way, he will only announce his starting eleven tomorrow afternoon, a few hours before the game.

Judging by the team's training sessions this week, Kashtan has already decided on the back line that will try and stop England striker Wayne Rooney. Bolton Wanderer's center-back Tal Ben Haim is the only one of Kashtan's defensive foursome to retain his place after the 4-3 defeat in Israel's previous qualifier against Croatia last November which ended a 13-match unbeaten run in European and World Cup qualifiers.

Advertisement

Maccabi Tel Aviv's Yuval Spungin plays at right-back with Beitar Jerusalem's Yoav Ziv on the left and Shimon Gershon, another Beitar player, at full back.

Deportivo La Coruna's Dudu Awat opens in goal.

Yet another Jerusalem player, Arik Benado, will play in defensive midfield alongside Kashtan's long-time favorite Walid Badir of Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Hapoel players Elyaniv Barda and Salim Tuama are expected to play on the wings, although Kashtan played Beitar's Amit Ben-Shushan in place of Tuama on the left in practice yesterday.

Despite doubts over his fitness, West Ham's Yossi Benayoun will play behind a lone striker, whose identity has yet to be decided.

Kashtan tried out both Chelsea youngster Ben Sahar and Sivasspor's Pini Balili, who looked the sharper of the two. Beitar's Toto Tamuz will start off the bench.

"England is a better team than us," Kashtan said at a press conference yesterday. "There is no need to remind you all of the quality of its players, but we can win on Saturday if everything comes together. If the players play to the best of their ability and with discipline we can get a good result out of the game."

The Israel coach called on the Jewish genius and patriotism to get the desired result tomorrow night.

"The Jewish people has a lot of intelligence and the players need to express that against England," Kashtan said. "The honor of the country is at stake and I believe that when the players take to the field and hear the national anthem they will understand just how important it is to succeed.

"The atmosphere in the team is good and I can see by the players' body language that they are ready. If they carry out my instructions on Saturday night we will be smiling from ear to ear."

Croatia leads the group with 10 points with Russia in second, while England and Israel are third and fourth respectively with seven points.

All four teams have played four matches. The three other teams in the group are Macedonia, Estonia and Andorra.

Bookmark to del.icio.us
Taxi driver
The appearance of a Jewish friend ruins an attempt to have a chat with an Arab driver.
The wail
The image of every Arab leader Israel tries to dwarf gradually assumes tremendous heft.
 Today Online
Bradley Burston: Hamas, best friend of the settlers
Responses: 215
Member of war probe: IDF deterrence eroded by years of restraint
Responses: 261
Shmuel Rosner: The attacks on the 'Jewish lobby' keep coming
Responses: 219
Sagi and Stern: Even Palestinians must recognize Israel's Jewish character
Responses: 197
Settlers facing eviction petition court for compensation
Responses: 89


More Headlines
23:36 UN Security Council unanimously approves tighter Iran sanctions
20:57 IDF, police warn settlers against reoccupying West Bank settlement
01:24 'No comment' from PMO officials on Olmert-Saudi meeting reports
01:23 Swedish FM meets with Abbas, PA foreign minister in Ramallah
23:08 Israel, England play to 0-0 draw in Euro 2008 qualifier match
19:44 Rice discusses peace efforts with foreign ministers of 'Arab Quartet'
19:26 Iran: British naval personnel confessed to territorial violation
01:41 Sewage pumped into Yarkon may seep into nat'l water carrier
19:12 Fatah supporters in Gaza vow revenge for murdered official
17:11 Minister Cabel: Hirchson must consider resigning from his post
Previous Editions
Special Offers
Advertisement
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt.
JOIN FREE AT JDATE.COM
The most popular online Jewish dating community in the world! Explore the possibilities! Click Here!
A Different Israel Experience
Unique programs for adults of all ages
Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza Israel
Lowest internet rate Guaranteed at ichotelsgroup.com !
CAMP KIMAMA ISRAEL
Israel's international summer camps!
Learn Hebrew Online
Learn Hebrew from the best teachers in Israel live over the Internet
Home| Print Edition| Diplomacy| Opinion| Arts & Leisure| Sports| Jewish World| Underground| Site rules|
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved