Local Soccer: It's Moldova or bust for hopeful Israelis

Kashtan's team must improve its play from Swiss game to sustain World Cup dreams.

By ALLON SINAI
Israel soccer 224.88 (photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Israel soccer 224.88
(photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Israel must defeat Moldova in Chisinau on Wednesday or its hopes to qualify for the 2010 World Cup will be all but over just five days after the start of the campaign. Ben Sahar's injury-time goal against Switzerland on Saturday rescued a 2-2 draw for the national team, which could prove to be crucial, but only if the side first gets the better of its inferior opponents in Group 2, starting against Moldova on Wednesday. "My players are focused and are aware of the importance of this match to our campaign," coach Dror Kashtan said on Tuesday. "I don't take any team lightly and one of the dangers in a match against such teams as Moldova is that the players will underestimate the opponent." Kashtan looks certain to make at least three changes from the starting lineup which struggled on Saturday in Ramat Gan. Injured striker Roberto Colautti didn't even fly out with the team and will likely be replaced by Sahar. Omer Golan and Baram Kayal are expected to be dropped from the midfield, with Elyaniv Barda and Moshe Ohayon coming in to give Israel more attacking options. "We spoke to the players about the good things and about how to correct the mistakes after the Switzerland match," Kashtan said. "The most important thing is the unity of the team, no matter who is in the lineup. The players know what their goal is and they want to win just as much as the fans do." Moldova's qualifying campaign also got off to a far from ideal start on Saturday, with the side losing 2-1 at home to Latvia. The Moldovans are guided by Russian Igor Dobrovolski, who sent Israel a warning on Tuesday. "I'm not scared of any team at our home stadium. If Israel thinks it's the favorite that's fine by me," Dobrovolski said. "The only team which is definitely going to be at the World Cup is South Africa. Any other team which wants to play in the World Cup will have to get there with work hard. Our goal is to work hard and to qualify." Captain Yossi Benayoun scored the goal that brought Israel back into the match against Switzerland and, as always, will be one of the keys to the team's success on Wednesday. "Even if we would have taken three points against Switzerland we would have had to win this match. We will do everything to win and we believe in ourselves," Benayoun said. "This match isn't as easy as a lot of people think it is. If we play our regular game, however, there's no reason why we shouldn't win."