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World Cup qualifying: Switzerland, Israel miss chance to pull clear [Mon Sep 5th, 2005]
Basel (Reuters) - Switzerland and Israel did just about enough to keep their World Cup qualifying chances alive after scrapping their way through a messy 1-1 draw.
Both sides had reason though to regret a result that will have bought much bigger smiles to Group Four rivals France and Ireland.
"As we expected it was a very tough match against a very strong Israeli team," Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn told reporters. "But that isn't to say that we couldn't have won this game."
As the home side, Switzerland had been particularly keen to end the tense stand-off in a group that has now seen all nine of the direct meetings between the four top sides finish in draws.
The Swiss looked well on course to end the deadlock when they were gifted an early lead thanks to a fifth minute mistake by Israel's Ariel Banado.
Attempting to clear a well-weighted cross from international newcomer Tranquillo Barnetta, the experienced Maccabi Haifa defender only succeeded in deflecting the ball onto his own goalpost.
Switzerland's top striker Alex Frei took full advantage -- leaping over an outstretched Nir Davidovich in the Israeli goalmouth before slamming the ball over the line.
Frei's 21st goal from 37 international starts was cancelled out 15 minutes later when Adoram Keisi rose unchallenged to head an Idan Tal free kick in off Pascal Zuberbuehler's right post.
Looking to qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time since their 1970 debut, Israel were forced to rely on increasingly hefty defending after the restart, picking up three yellow cards in rapid succession.
The home side kept up the pressure, another Frei effort headed onto his own crossbar by Tal Ben Haim, while substitute striker Mauro Lustrinelli could not quite connect with a late pass into the box.
The point gained was enough to send Switzerland top with three matches remaining -- but with two of those matches coming against Ireland and France, Kuhn knew his men had missed a big opportunity.
"It will be difficult as we now need six points from our last three games," Kuhn reflected. "Israel are also still in with a chance now."
That point was not lost on the Israelis who have a much easier run-in than their opponents -- their two final matches are against the Faroe Islands -- but who have also played one game more than Switzerland, France and Ireland.
"I still believe it's possible for us to at least get second place," Israel and West Ham midfielder Yossi Benayoun said. "Of course we have to beat the Faroes first and then see what happens in the other games -- but at least everything is still possible."
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