England find no way past Israel

Saturday, 24 March 2007

Israel and England cancelled each other out in Tel-Aviv as UEFA EURO 2008™ Group E remains as tight as ever.

Tight tussle
England had probably the better chances including Jamie Carragher heading on to the crossbar, but Israel were resolute in defence and deserving of a point that keeps the group a fascinating tussle between these opponents, Croatia, Russia and F.Y.R. Macedonia.

Tamuz effort
Visiting manager Steve McClaren deployed Phil Neville and Carragher as full-backs and Wayne Rooney and Andy Johnson up front from his injury-hit squad, while his opposite number Dror Kashtan used 18-year-old Toto Tamuz in attack. The teenager had an immediate opportunity yet was unable to force the ball in after pouncing on a Rio Ferdinand backpass.

Lampard denied
The away side had little of the action in the early stages but in the 22nd minute Johnson and Steven Gerrard combined to set up Frank Lampard, whose shot was smothered by the alert Dudu Awat. Soon after, Tamuz forced England goalkeeper Paul Robinson to save, and although the visitors pushed hard towards the end of the half, Awat was not troubled.

Carragher close
It was a similar story as the second period began, England moving forward but incapable of breaking down the Israel rearguard. Carragher sent a looping header on to the crossbar, though Awat looked to have it covered, and while 17-year-old Ben Sahar was brought on for his competitive Israel debut, most of the excitement was at the other end.

Awat saves
Rooney had an effort blocked by Tal Ben Haim and assured Israel goalkeeper Awat stopped a Lampard volley. Jermain Defoe was brought on to add impetus to the England front line, and with seven minutes left, Awat did well to smother the substitute's attempt from close range as his team defended deeply to secure a point.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Kuranyi headers move Germany clear

Saturday, 24 March 2007

Germany resisted a late rally by the Czech Republic to clinch a well-deserved victory in this meeting of the Group D pacesetters.

Headers decisive
Kevin Kuranyi headed in twice before Milan Baroš's goal set up a nervous finish. Unbeaten Germany are three points clear of the Czech Republic, who are now ahead of the Republic of Ireland only on goal difference.

Germany on top
It took the visitors just 58 seconds to threaten when Bastian Schweinsteiger's effort from a narrow angle was repelled by Petr Čech. The tempo remained high, with Bernd Schneider nodding a cross from Marcel Jansen past the left post and Schweinsteiger testing Čech again. The goalkeeper then denied the FC Bayern München midfielder for a third time in the first ten minutes with a superb reflex save. The home No1 remained busy as Lukas Podolski forced another stop from distance but Germany kept pressing and shortly before the break their dominance told. A Torsten Frings corner from the left found Kuranyi and he rose highest to acrobatically head past Čech. In total control, Germany hit the crossbar through Podolski who unleashed a powerful shot after Kuranyi set him up.

Advantage doubled
After the interval the Czechs improved, with Jan Koller having an attempt blocked and Baroš twice going close. Germany responded in the 62nd minute with a fantastic counterattack and the rampaging Philipp Lahm's pinpoint cross from the left was nodded in by Kuranyi. With 15 minutes remaining, Jan Polák's long-range strike deflected off Baroš's foot and past Jens Lehmann. The Czech Republic had hope, but despite promising efforts from the goalscorer and Tomáš Rosický their unbeaten start to qualifying ended. They meet Cyprus on Wednesday, Germany resume qualifying against San Marino on 2 June.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Anelka to the rescue for France

Saturday, 24 March 2007

France had Nicolas Anelka to thank for the fine individual goal that earned them a 1-0 win at Lithuania and keeps them joint-top of Group B behind Scotland.

Ninth goal for France
Anelka claimed the three points for Raymond Domenech's side after 73 minutes, cutting infield from the left flank and driving a low shot past the despairing dive of Žydrunas Karčemarkas from 25 metres. It was the 28-year-old's ninth goal in 35 appearances and ensured Les Bleus their fourth victory from five UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers. For the hard-working hosts, meanwhile, this second defeat in four matches leaves them fifth in Group B ahead of Wednesday's visit to Ukraine.

Diarra debut
Missing six first-team regulars in Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Franck Ribéry, Louis Saha, Mikaël Silvestre and David Trezeguet, coach Domenech handed a debut to Chelsea FC midfielder Lassana Diarra and also included Jérémy Toulalan of Olympique Lyonnais, capped once before. On a bumpy pitch, Les Bleus struggled to find their stride, their first shot on goal coming on 21 minutes when Florent Malouda sent a low effort straight at the goalkeeper. A more serious threat followed soon after as Sidney Govou flicked on Willy Sagnol's long throw and Anelka's low strike forced a fingertip save.

Sagnol block
Having withstood that spell of pressure, Lithuania began asking questions at the other end. Arunas Klimavičius headed wide from Mantas Savenas's free-kick and then Deividas Šemberas flashed a cross-cum-shot over. With France looking increasingly frustrated, they had Sagnol to thank for a superb block that stopped striker Robertas Poškus's shot on the stroke of half-time.

All-important goal
The game opened up after the break. Malouda put an inviting ball across goal only for Tomas Zvirgzdauskas to get there ahead of Anelka. Although Lithuania defender Marius Stankevicius blazed an effort just wide of the far post, France were gradually asserting themselves and Anelka was profligate when blasting a close-range attempt over. However, the forward grabbed the all-important goal 17 minutes from time and the win would have been more comfortable had substitute Djibril Cissé not driven over in the closing stages.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Russia delight in Kerzhakov strikes

Saturday, 24 March 2007

by Margus Luikfrom A Le Coq Arena

Russia continued their unbeaten start to UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying under Guus Hiddink with an Aleksandr Kerzhakov-inspired victory in front of a full house in Tallinn.

Kerzhakov goals
Kerzhakov struck twice in 12 minutes in the second half to ensure Russia repeated the scoreline by which they beat Group E rivals Estonia in St Petersburg in October. Russia remain second in the group behind Croatia, moving away from Israel, England and F.Y.R. Macedonia who all dropped points today.

Lively start
Both teams began in positive fashion. Kerzhakov sent the ball over Mart Poom's goal early on but Estonia then took the initiative, especially down the left flank of Ragnar Klavan. The first chance, however, fell to Sergei Terehhov in the 14th minute, his header tipped over by Igor Akinfeev. Three minutes later Klavan robbed Aleksandr Anyukov on the edge of the area but Akinfeev stood tall. Russia now retook control, Kerzhakov especially active but unable to break the deadlock before the interval.

Russia push
On the hour Estonia substitute Gert Kams made Akinfeev save, yet Russia started to dominate through ex-FC Zenit St. Petersburg forwards Andrei Arshavin and Kerzhakov. On 62 minutes Kerzhakov sent Arshavin through and the Russia captain forced Poom to make a low one-handed stop. Three minutes later, Kerzhakov's thunderous strike was met by a brilliant Poom save.

Match decided
Seconds on, though, Arshavin and Kerzhakov exchanged first-time passes and the latter raced through and lifted the ball over Poom and into the net. With 12 minutes remaining Kerzhakov made it two, again combining with Arshavin as well as Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and debutant Dmitri Torbinskiy, with Poom being unable to keep out his low show from the edge of the box. Estonia hit the crossbar late on but remain without a point or goal in Group E.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Healy treble defeats Liechtenstein

Saturday, 24 March 2007

Northern Ireland continued their fine start in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group F as they won 4-1 in Liechtenstein to keep alive their hopes of a first major tournament appearance since 1986.

Healy hat-trick
David Healy was the hero for Lawrie Sanchez's side, scoring his second hat-trick of the campaign with three second-half strikes in a game that only came to life after the break and offered three key points for the visitors as they moved into second in their section.

Visitors in control
The away team had enjoyed a memorable victory over Spain in September when Healy grabbed his first treble, but despite having the better of possession it was a frustrating opening period for Sanchez's men in Vaduz. Their best chance came when Peter Jehle clawed away a looping Keith Gillespie effort just after the half-hour. Gillespie, who will be suspended for Northern Ireland's crunch match against Sweden on Wednesday, provided most of the danger down the right, yet his side could easily have found themselves behind at the interval, Franz Bergmeier heading over from close range.

Nerves settled
Seven minutes after the restart, Healy calmed Northern Irish nerves, side-footing into an empty net from the edge of the area after the ball had rolled into his path following Jehle's save from Kyle Lafferty. And on 75 minutes it was 2-0 – this time, the Leeds United AFC striker prodding past Jehle. Liechtenstein heads did not drop, but despite efforts from danger man Mario Frick and Martin Stocklasa, Healy completed his haul when beating the offside trap on 83 minutes. There was still time for the hosts to score a fine consolation in added time, Burgmeier cutting in from the left and fizzing in a shot, before Northern Ireland sealed victory with Grant McCann registering his first international goal - a towering header.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Ireland joy as Wales are defeated

Saturday, 24 March 2007

by Adrian Hartefrom Croke Park

Stephen Ireland's first-half goal gave the Republic of Ireland victory over Wales in the first football international played at Dublin's Croke Park, as Stephen Staunton's team recorded a third straight win in UEFA EURO 2008™ Group D.

Great expectations
The early exchanges had failed to match the historic occasion with both sides struggling to retain possession. Indeed, the expectant crowd of more than 72,000 – the largest for a Republic of Ireland international – had to wait until the 14th minute for a sight of goal, when Robbie Keane pulled a shot wide following a half-cleared corner. Although the same player spurned an even better chance, after Ireland's pass had beaten the Wales offside trap and his captain dragged another shot wide, Keane decisively returned the favour to set up Ireland's winner close to half-time.

Croke Park first
Prior to that moment, Wales had responded to Irish pressure with Craig Bellamy dispossessing Richard Dunne and bearing down on goal, with Shay Given coming quickly and bravely out to foil the Liverpool FC forward. For the hosts, Keane played in Damien Duff, prompting Wales keeper Danny Coyne to save with his feet. Staunton's men were not to be denied for long though, and on 39 minutes Keane played a sublime reverse pass to release midfielder Ireland, who showed great composure to round Coyne and slot in from an acute angle.

Opportunities missed
Wales fought back in a largely forgettable second half and could have levelled after 73 minutes when Bellamy miscued a shot from Ryan Giggs's cross. Ireland came close to doubling their advantage on 81 minutes, however, as Kevin Doyle sliced an effort against the woodwork on the half-volley. In the event, Ireland's goal sufficed for the home side and they maintained the pressure on Germany and Czech Republic ahead of the visit of Slovakia on Wednesday. Wales, with three points from four matches, will hope to kick-start their campaign at home to San Marino the same day.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Poland fire early warning

Saturday, 24 March 2007

Poland climbed to the top of Group A after strolling to a comfortable victory against Azerbaijan at the Wojska Polskiego stadium in Warsaw.

Early goals
Kazakhstan's surprise defeat of Serbia earlier in the day had presented Poland with the chance to move clear in pole position, and they took full advantage, effectively sealing the win within the first six minutes when they jumped into a 2-0 lead. Jacek Bąk was first on the scoresheet, rising unmarked to head in Wojciech Łobodziński's free-kick after only three minutes. The celebrations had barely died down when the home side added the second. Again the goal came from a free-kick, this time played to the byline where Marcin Wasilewski pulled the ball back for Dariusz Dudka to nod in.

Lewandowski miss
Azerbaijan offered little attacking threat and almost fell further behind when Mariusz Lewandowski pulled a shot narrowly wide on 26 minutes. Another goal was not long in coming, though, as again Poland exploited weaknesses in the centre of the Azerbaijan defence. This time Lukasz Gargula picked out Łobodziński, who headed past Jahangir Hasanzade from ten metres. Hasanzade did prevent Poland from stretching their advantage moments later when he tipped Michał Żewłakow's dipping set-piece over the bar, but the points already looked safe for the hosts who went into half-time three goals to the good.

Krzynówek fourth
There was little let-up after the break and Jacek Krzynówek tapped in the fourth from close range on 58 minutes before substitute Przemysław Kaźmierczak rounded off the scoring with another headed goal six minutes from time. It was Poland's fourth win in succession and takes them two points clear of second-placed Finland with an opportunity to extend that lead when they host Armenia on Wednesday. Azerbaijan, still seeking their first victory of the campaign, are at home to Finland next.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Ukraine cruise past Faroe Islands

Saturday, 24 March 2007

Ukraine kept themselves in the hunt for a place at UEFA EURO 2008™ with a one-sided win against a Faroe Islands side who were condemned to their fifth consecutive defeat without scoring in Group B.

Champions leapfrogged
The visitors had the chance to open up a two-point gap on world champions Italy while maintaining the pressure on France and Scotland. They made no mistake with Volodymyr Yezerskiy scoring in the first half and Oleh Gusev after the break.

Deserved lead
Despite missing prolific forward Andriy Shevchenko through injury, Ukraine assumed control early on with Andriy Voronin testing Jákup Mikkelsen. It was no surprise when Oleh Blokhin's men took the lead after 20 minutes when Yezerskiy drilled a 20-metre shot past Mikkelsen. Taras Mikhalik then curled an effort past the far post and Anatoliy Tymoschuk nodded over Maxym Kalynychenko's corner as the away team looked to double their advantage.

Just reward
The home side's first attempt of note came on 50 minutes yet Olexandr Shovkovskiy was able to watch Símun Samuelsen's 35-metre strike fly over. Ukraine were eventually rewarded for their dominance seven minutes later when Andriy Nesmachniy headed into the path of Gusev and the midfielder calmly slid a low shot past Mikkelsen. Olexiy Bielik wasted two fine chances to put the game further beyond doubt while Súni Olsen blazed wide as the Faroes tried to force their way back into contention.

Profligate finishing
Kalynychenko was left kicking himself after he squandered two simple openings, one with his head, the other a volley, while Tymoschuk's fierce drive crashed against Mikkelsen's right-hand post. But by then Ukraine had done enough to secure the points and were happy to settle for a two-goal margin ahead of another crucial qualifier on Wednesday, when they entertain Lithuania.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.