Late winner nets Israel wild 4-3 victory over Bulgaria

Sahar came to Israel's rescue, beating the local 'keeper with a cool finish in the 90th minute to claim the important win.

By ALLON SINAI
israel youth soccer 248.88 (photo credit: Channel 1)
israel youth soccer 248.88
(photo credit: Channel 1)
A 90th minute goal by Ben Sahar gave Israel's Under-21 national team a dramatic 4-3 victory at Bulgaria in its second 2011 European Championship qualifier on Wednesday. Israel recorded a disappointing 1-1 home draw against Kazakhstan in its first qualifier and was desperate to get is campaign back on track with a victory in Bulgaria. However, despite taking a 3-1 lead against 10-man Bulgaria in the 54th minute, Israel squandered its lead within 12 minutes and needed a late winner by Sahar to claim all three points. "I'm obviously not pleased with the way we played because we should have been far more composed and clever," coach Moti Ivanir said. "When we led 3-1 we should have gone on to score the fourth and fifth goals, but by tomorrow all that we'll remember is that we won." The national team suffered an early setback when Lachezar Baltanov headed the hosts into the lead after three minutes. But just four minutes later, right-back Liroi Zeiri raced up from defense and slotted in the equalizer. In the 29th minute, Israel took the lead after Biram Kiyal headed in Bibres Natcho's free kick and moments before the break Bulgaria's Spas Delev was sent-off after elbowing Israel's Dean Mori. The national team seemed to all but clinch the win when Toto Tamuz increased the side's lead in the 54th minute, but goals by Momchil Cvetanov in the 59th minute and Ivan Ivanov seven minutes later tied the score, turning the encounter on its head. However, Sahar would come to Israel's rescue, beating the local 'keeper with a cool finish in the 90th minute to claim the important win.