Israel: we’ll give it our all

ISRAEL coach Dror Kashtan has insisted his players will “give their very best” in today’s Euro 2008 qualifier with Russia.

Israel have no chance of qualifying for the finals in Switzerland and Austria but the result of the game with Russia is still likely to have a crucial bearing on qualification.

England will be hoping Israel will get something out of their game with Guus Hiddink’s side as it would mean that Steve McClaren’s team would qualify by winning their last game with Croatia.

Israel may have little to play for in terms of qualification but Kashtan claimed that his men would show the right spirit.

“We are a proud nation,” Kashtan said.

“We will play a major role in determining who qualifies for the championships. We have read all the different speculation, which is completely irrelevant. I’m sure the players understand that they must give their very best throughout the 90 minutes and win the match. Our only interest is the Israel national team and a win will give us ranking points.”

Israel will be denied the services of skipper Yossi Benayoun who injured his groin playing for Liverpool. Shimon Gershon and Danny Bonder left the squad and Dekel Keinan looks set to partner Chelsea’s Tal Ben-Haim in the centre of defence.

The English media have made much of Chelsea’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich’s close links with Israel — he is close friends with agent Pini Zahavi and he recently appointed former Israel coach Avram Grant as new Chelsea team boss.

However, Russia striker Alexander Kerzhakov has dismissed any suggestions that the game will be anything other than competitive. Kerzhakov, who plays with Sevilla, said: “This will be a hard game and I am sure nothing will be made easy for us.

“This match is still very important for Israel’s image, and I am sure that we are about to meet a team of players that are preparing to fight.

“I don’t know anything about Abramovich, other than that he is a Russian and he will therefore want us to qualify for the finals.”

If Russia beat Israel they will be a point ahead of England going into the final round of games.

Russia’s final game is against minnows Andorra while England will clash with Croatia, who may have already secured one of the two qualification spots.