World Cup Qualifying Preview: Greece – Israel

In cooperation with Goal.com:

Four days after being held to a 1-1 draw in Tel-Aviv, Greece hosts Israel in the second half a double-date when both sides rekindle their challenge for top spot on Wednesday.

The Greeks’ hopes of qualifying for just their second World Cup Finals are still intact, but Saturday night’s draw with Group 2 rivals Israel took its toll on their lead at the group’s summit – which now flimsily stands on goal differential over Switzerland.

Israel, meanwhile, are still one point back of the joint group leaders with nine points to their name; but a win in Greece on Wednesday would be a big boost for Dror Kashtan’s men, whose captain, Yossi Benayoun, faces another race to fitness.

Cretan Cruise

The game might not be a cruise in the Cyclades, but Greece will be hoping the island-like surroundings of the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion allow Otto Rehhagel’s men to set sail in Crete.

The last time the former European Champions hosted opposition on the southernmost Greek island was during qualification for last summer’s European Championships. A sturdy Greece stood tall against Hungary and Moldova; paving the way to top spot in the group.

If their place atop the group standings this term is to hold firm for yet another matchday, a full three points will be required of the Galanoleuki. While the feat may be strenuous, Saturday’s performance showed Greece has the right tonic to collect maximum points on Wednesday.

The only flaw, however, was several miscommunications in a potent attack that has long-expired its boiling point.

Shine like a “Sahar”

The road to South Africa from an Israeli standpoint is highlighted by Jewish history, as Israel look to return to the promise land after a forty-year wait. Their desired destination doesn’t require a refresher in history, but they’ll have to improve on their performance from the weekend.

Their hopes traditionally stemmed through Benayoun, but another Israeli prodigy has made his way into the limelight. Ben Sahar showed scintillating skill on the weekend, as his pace and ability left the Greek defense flat-footed on many occasions.

On the contrary, their home record doesn’t hold much to be admired; so a trip to Greece, with the dire need to grab full points a priority, could revitalize Israel.

The crowd on hand at the Ramat Gan Stadium jeered their squad during the interval; a reaction not forgotten by the Israel squad. An equally pressured atmosphere, this time with the Greeks under the microscope, could allow Israel to recapture their zest and squeak ahead of their hosts.

FORM GUIDE

Israel

Oct 11.    Luxembourg 1-3 Israel    (World Cup Qualifier)
Oct 15.    Latvia 1-1 Israel    (World Cup Qualifier)
Nov 19.   Israel 2-2 Ivory Coast   (Friendly)
Feb 11.    Israel 1-0 Hungary    (Friendly)
Mar 28.   Israel 1 -1 Greece      (World Cup Qualifier)

Greece

Oct 11.    Greece 3 – 0 Moldova    (World Cup Qualifier)
Oct 15.    Greece 1 – 2 Switzerland    (World Cup Qualifier)
Nov 19.    Greece 1 – 1 Italy    (Friendly)
Feb 11.    Greece 1 – 1 Denmark    (Friendly)
Mar 28.   Israel 1 -1 Greece      (World Cup Qualifier)

TEAM NEWS

Israel

Pre-match news continues to revolve around the health of Benayoun, but the Liverpool midfielder could again upset his English employers and suit up for his country. Gal Alberman, however, did not travel with the team to Greece and will not take part in the crucial match in Crete.

Probable Starting XI: Dudu Aouate – Klemi Saban, Tal Ben Haim, Dekel Keinan, Dedi Ben Dayan – Ben Sahar, Gil Vermuth, Tamir Cohen, Yossi Benayoun – Omer Golan, Elyaniv Barda.

Greece

Greece’s bill of health continues to sparkle, but precautions have overtaken the fitness of inspirational midfielder Giorgos Karagounis. The Panathinaikos midfielder followed an individual training session on Tuesday, but should be ready for Wednesday night.

Probable Starting XI: Kostas Chalkias – Vasilis Torosidis, Avraam Papadopoulos, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Giourkas Seitaridis – Angelos Basinas, Kostas Katsouranis, Giorgos Karagounis – Theofanis Gekas, Angelos Charisteas, Giorgos Samaras.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Israel

Ben Sahar’s brilliance makes him a spectacle to monitor, as the Chelsea prospect frustrated the Greek defense in Tel-Aviv. The 19-year-old, however, has the ability to make the players around shine. The Greek back-line might be more familiar with what they’re dealing with now, but a dynamic Sahar will likely fight through.

Greece

Theofanis Gekas rose to the occasion on Saturday, while Angelos Charisteas was left perplexed by his lack of effiecency in front of goal. Expect the latter to redeem himself as Greece’s golden boy as the man charged with winning the European Championships for Greece back in 2004 aims to set the record straight in Crete.

PREDICTION

Pressure now lies on the shoulders of Greece as their grip on top spot has been breached, and it will be challenged yet again on Wednesday. Expect Otto Rehhagel’s side to answer their critics with a similar performance from Saturday, but the home crowd should instil more confidence in the Greeks.

Greece 2-0 Israel

Peter Katsiris