Kerr fears improved Israel

Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has warned his players that Israel are far too good to be only considered the dark horses of their World Cup qualifying group.

Ireland are currently top of Group Four, heading the race to qualify for next summer’s finals in Germany after taking eight points from their opening four games.

France and Israel have the same record, trailing the Republic on goal difference, with Switzerland also in strong contention, ensuring it is a four-horse race and one which at this stage is too difficult to call.

Given the level of expectancy currently surrounding the Irish, they are favoured to win at the Ramat-Gan Stadium in Tel Aviv, yet Kerr is adamant that a stiff task lies ahead.

Israel, like Ireland, held France to a goalless draw in Paris earlier in the campaign.

Although they may only have one player currently playing in the Barclays Premiership – Bolton’s Tal Ben Haim – Kerr insists they cannot be underestimated.

“Israel have players playing in Spain, Turkey and Germany, so the fact they only have one in the Premiership is irrelevant,” stated Kerr.

“Each national team has its own characteristics, desires and a pride in playing for their country and there is no doubt the Israeli team have that.

“Irrespective of where the players are playing, we know they have very good ability and have played well since the appointment of Avraham Grant as coach. Their results have been consistent.

“Some of my coaches saw them playing even before we drew Israel, with one watching them beat Russia 2-0 in Moscow, and he told me at the time they are a very good team.

“Israel will be expecting to win and their people will be expecting them to win. They are a skilful, attacking team, who are also experienced, well organised and with good physical strength – and that’s enough to start.

“Anyone who has been watching world football fairly closely over the last few years will have noticed they have done well in their qualification groups.

“They’re knocking on the door, with a consistency in results and performances over a good number of years, so they are not dark horses in any way, and I don’t think they would have been considered that before the group started.

“So our attitude is to get what we can from this and then take it from there. We’re not looking at targets or points we need to get. We just need to do our own job, as we have done so far.”

Kerr believes the match could turn out to be highly significant.

“Competitively this is a key match in the group,” he said, “and although there’s another key match the same night with France playing Switzerland, we can’t affect anyone else’s results in the group.

“We can only do our own stuff and that’s the way it is.”

Kerr, meanwhile, has again allayed fears regarding security in light of a suicide bomb attack in Tel Aviv last month which killed five people and injured over 40.

That prompted immediate discussions between the FAI, the Israeli embassy and FIFA with regard to arrangements for the game, as well as the European Under-21 Championship clash 24 hours earlier, with positive assurances received since.

Kerr is unconcerned, adding: “Many countries have different things going on that not everybody would be happy about, like a conflict in an area here or there.

“But generally it doesn’t affect much of the percentage of a population at all, and from the reports I’ve had recently from people going there, they’ve talked about it being a buzzing, vibrant, lively city with all the trends that go with that.

“So we don’t have any concerns. We’re totally happy all security measures will be taken for the complete safety of the team and the supporters.

“We’re not thinking about it as a team. We’re going there to do a job, and we know we will be treated with respect, and they will be treated with the respect they deserve.”

Kerr is confident Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given will be fit despite sitting out training both yesterday and today with a hip injury.

A scan has confirmed slight bleeding, but Kerr said: “It’s nothing that a couple of days rest won’t fix, so we will see how he is tomorrow, but I expect him to be fine by Saturday.”