Clinical Israel in strong contention

Israel completed a good week in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying as they secured a comfortable win against struggling Estonia in Tel-Aviv.

Israel in contention
While Israel had held England 0-0 here on Saturday, Estonia lost 2-0 to Russia to remain without a point or goal in Group E. And that run stretched to five games as Idan Tal and Roberto Colautti, both back from suspension, struck in the opening half-hour before 17-year-old substitute Ben Sahar claimed his first two international goals to move Israel level with second-placed Russia in the group.

Duo return
Despite Tal and Colautti's return, teenage striker Toto Tamuz remained in the Israel lineup and had the first chance in the opening minute, his header forcing a save from Estonia goalkeeper Mart Poom. The breakthrough arrived on 19 minutes as the visiting defence were unable to clear a cross and Tal pounced to poke the ball into the net. Ten minutes later it was two, Amit Ben Shushan lofting a lovely centre over the Estonia defence for Colautti to head in off the post.

Estonian efforts
In the second half Estonia did have some opportunities as Andres Oper broke through on goal but lifted the ball above both Dudu Awat and the crossbar, and the Israel No1 then did well to tip a Tarmo Kink shot wide at full stretch. However, it was Chelsea FC starlet Sahar who had the last word on his third appearance having replaced Tamuz on 64 minutes. First he latched on to Tal's incisive pass and coolly chipped Poom, then three minutes later he powered in an opportunist shot from outside the box after a defensive slip.