Tuesday March 26, 2013 1st Round: Group F Finished Windsor Park

Northern Ireland 0 - 2 Israel

  • Refaelov 78’
  • Ben Basat 84’

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  1. World Cup - Northern Ireland beaten by clinical Israel

    World Cup - Northern Ireland beaten by clinical Israel

    Israel claimed a crucial 2-0 victory against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park to keep their World Cup hopes firmly on track. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Northern Ireland
    • Israel
    • 90+3 And that's our lot. Israel win 2-0, not convinced they deserved any more than a point though. It's a three horse race at the top of Group F. Over and out.
    • 90+3 Brunt booked for a frustrated challenge.
    • 90+2' Healy shoots to the far post and Aouate theatrically saves. Less than a minute to go.
    • 90+1' Three minutes of added time for Northern Ireland to salvage something...
    • 89' Israel running down the clock as Spungin keeps possession well, evading three Irish outstretched legs.
    • 88' Clingan was replaced by McCourt a few minutes back, just to bring you up to date.
    • 87' Benayoun comes on for Shechter. His experience will no doubt help calm any Israeli nerves.
    • 86' Brunt's corner doesn't clear the first man. Time running out for Northern Ireland, but they're still giving 100%.
    • 85' Some great goals tonight from Israel who have counter-attacked their way to a two goal lead.
    • 84' The answer is no, but it's no fault of Healy's. Ben Basat meets a cut back and fires into the top corner. Fine finish. 2-0. Game over? Probably.
    • 83' Healy on for Paterson. Can Healy add to his famous goal tally at Windsor Park and change the match?
    • 82' It's Israel passing it about confidently now. Funny how a goal can completely alter the momentum.
    • 81' Ten minutes for Israel to hold on for an unlikely win. The same amount of time for Ireland to save their World Cup dreams.
    • 80' Aouate goes down under pressure and it looks like he's fallen with the ball over the line. We can put away hawk-eye though, as the referee has blown for a foul.
    • 79' How will Ireland respond? Healy? Kyle Lafferty? What must Michael O'Neill be thinking? He is facing his ninth game in charge without a win.
    • 78' Big moment in Group F. Huge, even. Completely against the run of play, Ben Basat plays it in behind the Irish defence and substitute Rafaelov finishes magnificently.
    • 77' New man Rafaelov into the action, but his run forward is blocked by a sea of green.
    • 76' The Irish are putting Israel under all sorts of pressure. Paterson is the latest to force a wayward pass.
    • 75' Brunt lobs in an Irish corner, but it's hoofed down field and Ireland have to come again.
    • 74' Magennis comes on for Ferguson. Fergie, I hope I can call him that, has put in a magnificent shift down the Irish left.
    • 73' A lot of tired bodies out there, and who can blame then? It's been a real slog. A mention for the pitch though: it still looks fine with only 20 or so minutes to play.
    • 72' Spungin gets forward, but it comes to nothing and Ireland have a goal kick.
    • 71' The man who had the second half's best opening, Melikson, is replaced by Refaelov. I guarantee I will spell that wrong before the end of the night...
    • 70' Ferguson tries to release Paterson but his 50+ yard ball is quite long. Very long, in fact.
    • 69' Ben Haim and Tibi have dealt with the Irish threat brilliantly. They must have cleared at least 1000 crosses between them. 1000 minimum.
    • 68' Lots of play coming down the Irish right, McGinn the latest man to see his cross cleared.
    • 67' Aaron Hughes' cross into the box is claimed by Aouate. The Israeli keeper is very busy all of a sudden.
    • 66' Ireland want a penalty. Paterson gets to the ball before Aouate, but the referee's verdict was no contact.
    • 65' Eran Zahavi on for Radi, as Israel look to impose themselves on this match.
    • 65' Irish free-kick launched into the area by Brunt. Comes to Ferguson, but his centre is gobbled up by Aouate.
    • 64' Brunt gets into a promising position but delays the pass and the chance is gone. He had options inside him there.
    • 63' Melikson is the next Israeli player to hit the deck, although he does look to be in some pain. Yossi Benayoun warming up.
    • 62' Israel complaining about a high Irish boot, but the referee isn’t interested.
    • 61' Theatrical fall from Natkho after a challenge from Brunt. Didn’t look to be much in that to be honest.
    • 60' Lafferty shoots wide after getting into acres of space down the left. Game starting to open out.
    • 59' Windsor Park reacting to this increase in the Irish tempo. Nice and loud.
    • 58' Ireland swarming forward and Paterson's ball in is cleared to Davis, who shoots narrowly wide.
    • 57' Ireland camped inside the Israeli half, but they'll have to be aware of the counter as Carroll has been the busier of the two keepers following that Melikson shot.
    • 56' Paterson goes down following a robust challenge in the penalty area. The referee waves it away.
    • 55' Whipped in... Headed back across goal by Jonny Evans... But the referee adjudged that Evans had committed a foul.
    • 54' Substitues warming up, I imagine it won't be long until they're introduced to the game. Ireland with a corner...
    • 53' What a chance for Israel. The ball falls for Melikson in the Irish box, but he lashes straight at Carroll.
    • 52' Spungin tries to steal thirty metres on a throw-in by the half-way line. The linesman calmly moves him back into position.
    • 51' Natkho gets down the left before crossing. Cleared for a throw in.
    • 50' A corner which is met by the head of Lafferty, but it goes more up than towards the goal and Israel can breath a sigh of relief.
    • 49' Davis' looping ball is headed clear for an Irish corner.
    • 48' Despite having had seven shots to Israel’s two, Northern Ireland still find themselves at 0-0. I wonder if a certain Mr Healy might be licking his lips with this Israeli defence looking far from convincing.
    • 47' Ireland picking up from where they left off and passing it about confidently.
    • 46' And Israel get us underway in the second half.
    • 45' And it’s half-time here. Northern Ireland unable to convert their dominance into goals and it’s 0-0 at the break.
    • 44' Natkho is clear with just Roy Carroll to beat. The reason? He was a long way offside...
    • 43' Ball almost breaks to a green shirt in the Israeli box, but the ball is cleared at the second attempt.
    • 42' Ben Basat has been anonymous in this first period. No service means no action for the striker.
    • 41' McAuley whips a low ball across the Israel box but it evades everyone in a green shirt.
    • 40' McAuley whips a low ball across the Israel box but it evades everyone in a green shirt.
    • 39' The Northern Irish midfield five - Brunt, Clingan, McGinn, Davis and Ferguson – are playing fantastically at present.
    • 38' No sign of any snow so this match should be completed without any weather interference.
    • 37' Ireland’s defence looks really composed and comfortable. Not at all what we would have predicted after the opening five minutes.
    • 36' Jonny Evans is booked. Not quite sure whether that was for a foul or dissent.
    • 35' Finally Israel enjoy some possession, knocking it about at the back. They still look very nervy.
    • 34' The green shirts continue to flood forward. The Israeli defence, particularly the full-backs, are not coping.
    • 33' Just wonder if Ireland will rue that missed chance. Davis, Brunt and Hughes all shooting straight at the keeper or an Israeli defender.
    • 32' All Northern Ireland now though - Windsor Park is in full voice.
    • 31' Paterson was a menace down the right, winning the ball and sending it across the box. None of his teammates could convert though and it stays goalless.
    • 30' Davis... Brunt... Hughes... All having efforts at the Israel goal. How are they not ahead? Ireland had a few bies of the cherries there and should have scored.
    • 29' Paterson almost deflects a shot into the goal with a loose foot, but doesn't get enough on it. Good chance that.
    • 28' Ireland still on top here, but will obviously want to score before half-time incase the away side improve.
    • 27' Israel break into the opposition half, a rare event, but Ben Basat fouls Evans and Northern Ireland can clear.
    • 26' The free-kick is met by Evans with his head, before the defender sends the resulting knock down straight at an Israeli defender.
    • 25' Ben Basat fouls Paterson and Northern Ireland have a free-kick in a promising position...
    • 24' Gershon gifts possession to Israel’s opponents with a silly throw-in. Not what manager Eli Guttmann will want to see.
    • 23' Carroll, who has barely had a touch since the opening minutes, launches a goal-kick high and long. Ireland get it down and start playing again.
    • 22' The crowd are really getting behind the hosts now. Great to hear Windsor Park in full voice.
    • 21' Good passing releases Ferguson down the left for Northern Ireland, but the danger is well cleared by Spungin.
    • 20' Israel struggling to get out of their own half and keep the ball. All Northern Ireland at present.
    • 19' Paterson almost gets on the end of a Davis through ball, but Aouate manages to jump on the ball first.
    • 18' The Northern Ireland players are wearing black armbands out of respect for Malcolm Brodie, who had a minutes silence held in his honour before kick-off.
    • 17' Paterson is struggling to get into the game for Northern Ireland, but the same can be said of Israel’s frontman Ben Basat.
    • 16' Northern Ireland knocking it around confidently as Windsor Park turns up the volume slightly.
    • 15' A great assortment of coats, scarves and hats being sported by the watching spectators. It looks very cold.
    • 14' McGinn down the right now for Northern Ireland. He delivers a superb cross that agonisingly drifts over Paterson’s head. A good response to their shaky start.
    • 13' Shane Ferguson runs down the left and whips a ball in towards Martin Paterson but it’s cleared.
    • 12' Davis tackles Yeini in the centre circle and breaks forward. However the referee judges this to be an unfair challenge and pulls play back.
    • 11' A lot of wind swirling around Windsor Park making conditions pretty tricky. Looks to be favouring Israel in this half.
    • 10' Great work down the left from Northern Ireland is eventually snuffed out. Better from the hosts.
    • 9' You have to travel back to 1981 for the last competitive meeting between Northern Ireland and Israel, the former winning 1-0. It was a result which helped Northern Ireland qualify for the 1982 World Cup in Spain where they finished first in a group containing the hosts, Yugoslavia and Honduras, before falling at the second round.
    • 8' Unconvincing Northern Irish defending and Israel win a throw in a promising position. But it comes to nothing.
    • 7' Northern Ireland are still seeking their first win under boss Michael O’Neill. They’ve had eight matches under him to date.
    • 6' Bibras Natkho works himself some space on the edge of the Northern Ireland area, but his cross drifts harmlessly out of play.
    • 5' Northern Ireland glad to keep the ball for a minute. Lively start here at Windsor Park.
    • 4' Itay Shechter lunges for a cross at the front of the six yard box and sees his shot hit the outside of the post. Let off for Northern Ireland.
    • 3' Israel break down the right and work it into the area, but McAuley manages to clear for a corner.
    • 2' Early Northern Ireland free-kick comfortably dealt with by Israel keeper Dudu Aouate. Ireland in green, Israel in blue.
    • 1' A minutes silence to mark the passing of Belfast journalist Malcolm Brodie MBE has been observed and we’re all set to go. Ireland get us underway.
    • 19:43 Israel’s inform striker Tomer Hemed, who has scored six goals in his last five appearances, is suspended so in comes Itay Shechter. Ben Bassat is likely to play alongside Shecter, or be deployed on his own as a lone striker.
    • 19:40 FULL TEAMS – Northern Ireland: Carroll, D Lafferty, McAuley, Evans, Clingan, Davis, Paterson, Brunt, McGinn, Ferguson, Hughes... Subs: Mannus, McGovern, McGivern, Cathcart, Healy, McCann, McCourt, Norwood, Bruce, McKay, Magennis, C.Evans /// Israel: Aouate, Shpungin, Ben Haim, Tibi, Gershon, Yeini, Natkho, Radi, Melikson, Shechter, Ben Bassat... Subs: Harush, Amos, Alberman, Kayal, Refaelov, Barda, Keinan, Zahavi, Benayoun, Atar, Rikan, Shish
    • 19:35 Earlier on in Group F Portugal beat 10-man Azerbaijan 2-0. That should add a bit of extra spice to tonight’s match, with a win now crucial for both teams’ World Cup aspirations.
    • 19:30 Israel are in rich goalscoring form, finding the net 12 times in their last three group matches. They played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at home to Portugal on Friday, but were left deflated after Fabio Coentrao equalised with virtually the last kick of the game.
    • 19:25 Windsor Park has played host to some memorable Northern Ireland victories – England in 2005 and Spain in 2006. Is it ready to unleash another classic tonight?
    • 19:20 Chris Baird and Kyle Lafferty’s suspensions carry over to tonight following the postponement of Northern Ireland’s match with Russia. Sammy Clingan is given the nod over Alex Bruce and Corry Evans to fill Baird’s vacant defensive midfield slot. Martin Paterson immediately comes in upfront after his self-imposed absence to get rid of his injury problems.
    • 19:15 Northern Ireland XI: Carroll, D Lafferty, McAuley, Evans, Clingan, Davis, Paterson, Brunt, McGinn, Ferguson, Hughes
    • 19:10 These two last met in 2009 in a 1-1 draw at Windsor Park. Grant McCann’s superb early free-kick was cancelled out by Elyaniv Barda.
    • 1905 A draw isn’t much use for either side so I’m tentatively going to predict some exciting, free-flowing football... And lots of goals. A Northern Ireland victory would keep their World Cup hopes alive; an Israel victory would all but eliminate their opponents and create an intriguing fight between themselves, Portugal and group-leaders Russia for the automatic and play-off spots for Brazil 2014.
    • 19:00 Hello and welcome to live coverage of Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifying clash with Israel from Windsor Park. The pitch is playable, the fans are already in good spirits and, most importantly, there are no ominous snow clouds lurking above Belfast. We get underway at 7:45pm.

  • Summary

    • 90+2' Healy shoots to the far post and Aouate theatrically saves. Less than a minute to go.
    • 84' The answer is no, but it's no fault of Healy's. Ben Basat meets a cut back and fires into the top corner. Fine finish. 2-0. Game over? Probably.
    • 80' Aouate goes down under pressure and it looks like he's fallen with the ball over the line. We can put away hawk-eye though, as the referee has blown for a foul.
    • 78' Big moment in Group F. Huge, even. Completely against the run of play, Ben Basat plays it in behind the Irish defence and substitute Rafaelov finishes magnificently.
    • 60' Lafferty shoots wide after getting into acres of space down the left. Game starting to open out.
    • 53' What a chance for Israel. The ball falls for Melikson in the Irish box, but he lashes straight at Carroll.
    • 40' McAuley whips a low ball across the Israel box but it evades everyone in a green shirt.
    • 30' Davis... Brunt... Hughes... All having efforts at the Israel goal. How are they not ahead? Ireland had a few bies of the cherries there and should have scored.
    • 29' Paterson almost deflects a shot into the goal with a loose foot, but doesn't get enough on it. Good chance that.
    • 4' Itay Shechter lunges for a cross at the front of the six yard box and sees his shot hit the outside of the post. Let off for Northern Ireland.
    • 19:40 FULL TEAMS – Northern Ireland: Carroll, D Lafferty, McAuley, Evans, Clingan, Davis, Paterson, Brunt, McGinn, Ferguson, Hughes... Subs: Mannus, McGovern, McGivern, Cathcart, Healy, McCann, McCourt, Norwood, Bruce, McKay, Magennis, C.Evans /// Israel: Aouate, Shpungin, Ben Haim, Tibi, Gershon, Yeini, Natkho, Radi, Melikson, Shechter, Ben Bassat... Subs: Harush, Amos, Alberman, Kayal, Refaelov, Barda, Keinan, Zahavi, Benayoun, Atar, Rikan, Shish
    • 19:15 Northern Ireland XI: Carroll, D Lafferty, McAuley, Evans, Clingan, Davis, Paterson, Brunt, McGinn, Ferguson, Hughes

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Northern Ireland

    Manager: Michael O'Neill

  • Israel

    Manager: Eli Gutman

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.8 -
      Defenders
      6.8 -
      7 -
      Yellow Card 7 -
      6.8 -
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out78′ 7.2 -
      6.8 -
      Yellow Card 6.8 -
      7 -
      Strikers
      Substitution Out73′ 7 -
      Substitution Out84′ 6.8 -
      Subs
      Substitution In84′ 1 -
      Substitution In78′ 5 -
      Substitution In73′ 5 -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.4 -
      Defenders
      5 -
      5.5 -
      5.6 -
      4.8 -
      Midfielders
      4.8 -
      Substitution Out60′ 4.8 -
      5.6 -
      Substitution Out70′ 4.8 -
      Strikers
      Substitution Out86′ 5.4 -
      Goal 5.6 -
      Subs
      Substitution In86′ 10 -
      Substitution In70′ Goal 7 -
      Substitution In60′ 7 -

Comment 1 - 7 of 7

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  1. Well done ! Am Isroel chai ! Am Isroel chai !

    From antonello, on Wed 27 Mar 11:27

  2. Well done Israel! :)

    From Lady Fitzroy, on Tue 26 Mar 21:48

  3. Why do we even bother with international football in­ N.Ireland?

    From philip, on Tue 26 Mar 21:47

  4. yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee­ eeeeeeeeee!!

    From Ciaran, on Tue 26 Mar 21:25

  5. NORTHERN IRELAND

    From KENNETH, on Tue 26 Mar 20:55

  6. Feck Israel but come on win this!!

    From Ciaran, on Tue 26 Mar 19:57

  7. NORTHERN IRELAND GET US UNDER WAY GET IT RIGHT

    From steven, on Tue 26 Mar 19:52
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