Liverpool video inspired Israelis

ISRAELI defender Shimon Gershon likened the final moments of Saturday’s World Cup Qualifier against Ireland to a “street fight.”

Referee Kyros Vassaras flashed nine yellow cards (Ireland 2, Israel 7) and sent off Andy O'Brien in the 2-2 draw. The Greek official was at his busiest in an ill tempered final quarter.

"The final moments had nothing to do with soccer but simply felt like a street fight," said Gershon as he returned to a jubilant Israel.

"Tackles and elbows were flying in, but all was forgotten at the final whistle as we went on to celebrate in the dressing room."

Gershon also revealed that Israel were inspired by a video of Liverpool's Champions League comeback when fighting back from a two goal deficit. The players watched a tape of the European Cup Final in the hours prior to the Lansdowne Road tie. "I am certain the Liverpool video helped in some way," the defender said.

And he was not alone in praising manager Avraham Grant for utilising that psychological tool.

"An achievement even greater than Liverpool's in the Champions League final," said Yossi Benayoun, who played a pivotal role setting up Avi Yechiel's goal and drew a penalty that led to Avi Nimni's equalizer.

"While going to the stadium on the team bus, Avraham Grant showed us a video of Liverpool's three-goal comeback against AC Milan," he said. "But I think that for a team like Israel to pull off something like this at a stadium like Lansdowne Road is an even greater achievement."

"After conceding two early goals, I carried the ball to the centre circle and remember myself telling Avi Nimni that I hoped we would not fall to pieces," he added. "I was just hoping that we would not be humiliated. But we showed once again that we have character, and came back at a place where not many teams have done that in the past or will do that in the future."

Benayoun, who plays for Racing Santander in Spain, was observed during the match by English Premier League club Newcastle United's coaching staff and is expected to move to St. James' Park in the near future.

"Yechiel's goal reminds me of Steven Gerrard's goal against Milan a header from nowhere that sailed into the net and gave us the confidence needed to do it," added Gershon.