DRAW ISRAELI NOT THAT BAD
Win proves elusive but Ireland have nothing to fear ahead of second leg
BY MARK MCCADDEN IRELAND will head to Tel Aviv next Tuesday confident they can secure their place in next year’s European Championships, despite being held to a draw in Tallaght last night by Israel.
Jim Crawford’s side produced a fine display and carved out the better chances, only to be caught by a sucker punch shortly before half-time.
However, they bounced back in fine style and levelled through 17-year-old Brighton striker Evan Ferguson, before pushing for a winner against a visiting side that played the final 10 minutes with 10 men.
Israel will be without defender Stav Lemkin for next week’s second leg after he was red-carded for a shove inches outside the area on Aaron Connolly.
Connolly was impressive throughout on his eagerly anticipated return to Under21 duty, and was desperately unlucky not to score.
Ireland’s early forward momentum was driven largely by the industrious Joe Hodge in midfield.
West Ham midfielder Conor Coventry (inset) was outstanding too and in the 15th minute he slipped the ball through to Connolly, whose left-foot shot was touched onto the inside of the near post by goalkeeper Daniel Peretz in what was a real let-off for the visitors.
Lee O’connor then drilled a low ball in from the right to Connolly, who took a touch, turned and shot inches wide of the left-hand post.
Mohammad Kanaan was Israel’s dangerman and he was instrumental in shifting the momentum down the other end of the pitch in the minutes before halftime.
Twice he was denied from distance by smart Brian Maher saves, but when the second stop resulted in a corner, Israel drew first blood.
Osher Davida’s corner floated towards the back post, Maher came but misjudged and Idan Gorno headed into an empty net.
It certainly wasn’t a reflection on Ireland’s firsthalf display and Crawford’s side emerged after the break with a determination to rectify matters.
Cashin headed over from a Tyreik Wright cross on 52 minutes – and he was narrowly off target soon after when he got his head to Will Smallbone’s free from the right.
It was third time lucky for the Boys in Green when a 64th minute Wright corner led to the equaliser. Ferguson rose highest in the middle of the area to send his glancing header inside the far post.
Buoyed by that goal, Ireland went in search of the lead and Connolly (inset) headed straight at Peretz from a Smallbone cross.
Israel went into containment mode, seemingly happy to take a draw home.
Their defensive efforts were redoubled with 10 minutes to go when they went down to 10 men, following a straight red card to Stav Lemkin.
He shoved Connolly over as the striker chased a brilliant ball over the top by Conor Coventry, less than a yard outside the penalty area.
Connolly almost won it deep into injury-time when he raced onto a long ball forward, but drilled the ball over the bar on the half-volley.