Israel still hoping after beating Moldova
Saturday 10 October 2009
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Israel celebrate scoring against Moldova (©Getty Images)
Israel will go into the last set of FIFA World Cup qualifiers retaining a mathematical chance of making the play-offs after defeating Group 2 visitors Moldova.
Greece target
Two goals from Elyaniv Barda sandwiched an effort from Dedi Ben Dayan prior to a late Moldova consolation. However, with Greece beating Latvia 5-2, third-placed Israel are two points behind the 2004 European champions in the race of a play-off berth. And while Israel go to leaders Switzerland on Wednesday, Greece are at home to Luxembourg.
Barda heads in
Moldova were aiming for a win to move off bottom place, and ahead of Luxembourg, but on 20 minutes Barda had a goal disallowed after he headed in Gil Vermouth's cross. But that combination did break the deadlock two minutes later, Vermouth again crossing and Barda again nodding in. Moldova did look to respond, Victor Bulat and Denis Calincov having efforts saved by Dudu Aouate before Yossi Benayoun cleared Veaceslav Sofroni's header off the line.
Victory sealed
Aouate turned a Sofroni shot out for a corner but in the 65th minute Ben Dayan put the game beyond Moldova's reach. Tamir Chen headed down a corner and Etey Schechter touched on for Ben Dayan to double the lead. Barda scored his second of the night, and sixth of the campaign, with a clinical finish in injury time before Denis Calincov was given the time and space inside Israel's half before beating Aoute with a low drive.
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