Israel edge Skopje thriller
Wednesday, November 20, 2002
Article summary
F.Y.R Macedonia 2-3 Israel Substitute Ali Biton's last-gasp goal ensures victory.
Article body
F.Y.R. Macedonia 2-3 Israel
A late goal from substitute Eli Biton ensured Avraham Grant remained unbeaten as Israel coach after a five-goal thriller with F.Y.R. Macedonia in Skopje.
Unexpected turnaround
Grant's team had travelled without several experienced players but it looked like the absentees would not hinder the visitors as they raced to an early two-goal lead only for Biton to end up needing to secure the result just before the final whistle.
New faces
The coach made seven changes from the side which beat Malta last month, with Maccabi Petach-Tikva prodigy Gal Alberman and Hapoel Tel-Aviv Yigal Antebi both making debuts, while an injury to central defender Shimon Gershon paved the way for Gadi Brumer of Maccabi Tel-Aviv to mark his national return after a lengthy absence.
Zandberg opener
Maccabi Haifa FC winger Michael Zandberg put Israel in front on 19 minutes when he headed Alon Harazi’s lofted cross into the corner. Avi Nimni then doubled the advantage with his 13th international goal when he pounced after goalkeeper Petar Milosevski had spilled Kfir Udi’s shot nine minutes later.
Deficit reduced
However, after what must have been an inspirational half-time team talk, Nikola Ilievski's men, who drew 2-2 with England last month, were much improved in the second half, Aleksandar Vasoski reducing the deficit when he rose unchallenged to head in the 63rd minute.
Another win
Buoyed by the goal, the Macedonian team poured forward in greater numbers and Goce Sedlovski appeared to have earned a draw when he did well to take a ball on his chest and fire past Israel goalkeeper Dudu Awat. But the tenacious visitors were not about to let the match get away from them, Tal Banin releasing Nimni who in turn sent Biton through to grasp Israel’s fourth victory on the bounce.
Next games
Israel lie in second place behind France in UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying Group One and face Cyprus at home in March while F.Y.R. Macedonia, in third spot in Group Seven, are away to Slovakia in the same month.
