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Benayoun states Israel intent

Israel have not lost a competitive game in three years and captain Yossi Benayoun is determined to extend that sequence when Croatia visit this Wednesday.

It is more than three years since Israel lost a competitive fixture, and if they continue that run against Croatia in their Ramat Gan Stadium on Wednesday then UEFA EURO 2008™ qualification will be a distinct possibility.

Back home
Israel and Croatia, like England and F.Y.R. Macedonia, have seven points at the summit of a congested Group E, and Dror Kashtan's side have started well with wins against Estonia and Andorra prefacing a 1-1 draw in Russia last month. They played Andorra in the Netherlands for security reasons, but are now able to stage home games on home soil again - no bad thing considering they are unbeaten in Israel since a 5-0 defeat by Denmark in a UEFA EURO 2000™ play-off.

Benayoun determined
Captain Yossi Benayoun may have suffered a slight knee ligament tear during West Ham United FC's 1-0 reverse at Middlesbrough FC last Saturday, but he is determined to take part. "This will not prevent me playing," the 26-year-old said. "There is no chance I will miss this match, especially against a side who have been the best in our group so far." Benayoun, who scored a trademark solo effort against Croatia in a 3-3 friendly draw in Jerusalem in February 2005, added: "On paper the Croats are better than us - solid at the back, excellent players with a lot more experience, and we will have to be beyond our best in order to win. Hopefully, at home with the support of our fans, we could force them to have an off-day and win."

Coach's pledge
It will not be easy. Last year's draw was the only one of four encounters between these countries that Croatia have not won. Kashtan himself had a tough legacy to live up to when taking over for this campaign, as predecessor Avraham Grant had led Israel unbeaten through FIFA World Cup qualifying, against the likes of France, Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland. The undefeated sequence stretches back to 2003 - and a loss to France in Palermo - and Kashtan, who could yet steer Israel to their first major finals since the 1976 Olympics, insisted: "My team will stand up to any opponent, home and away."

Croatia strengths
The coach watched Croatia at the World Cup in Germany and was also present when they overcame England 2-0 in Zagreb in October. "They have changed a lot since the summer, especially with the arrival of their new coach Slaven Bilić," Kashtan, 62, said. "They are very strong and well-organised and that was obvious against England as they dominated the entire match. But although they have advantages, we will try and exploit their weaknesses."

'Tough matches ahead'
When asked whether a victory in Tel-Aviv would take Israel a step closer to the finals in Austria and Switzerland, Benayoun said: "It is way too early to say, but obviously it will give us a great push forward to have ten points, three more than our next opponents England." Benayoun's country of residence visit Israel on 24 March before Estonia come to Ramat Gan, and the winger cautioned: "There are plenty of tough matches ahead."

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