Israel will play Portugal, Russia, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan, and Luxembourg in qualifying for World Cup 2014.
Israel was unlucky, it could have been Norway instead of Portugal, which would have made it much, much easier for them to qualify....now they will really have their work cut out for them with Russia and Portugal both pretty talented teams. Sometimes they underperform, but overall, they have better players on paper.
Hey, if Slovenia could beat Russia in a two-legged playoff, I'm sure Israel could do the same. Second place is a reasonable, but challenging goal.
Northern Ireland getting new manager for this campaigne. Looks like we are too with Fernandez looking at the exit door already (don't agree with) and Eli Gutman as the frontrunner.
Rather go up against Russia than Greece/Croatia, and since Israel is looking more for a playoff spot than group win, I think this is a pretty decent draw. On the other hand, Israel will still have to avoid drawing at home and beat either Russia or Portugal on the road. Tall order.
Avram Grant may take the N.Ireland job.......that can't be good for us. I'd rather take him as our manager then have them take him.
If he takes that job, that would be completely unbelievable. How can he compete against Israel? I understand another team, in a different group, but not in the same one as Israel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_–_UEFA_Group_F has the schedule. Here is Israel's schedule with the home team listed first (a * denotes a matchday with at least one game in the group when Israel doesn't play): September 7, 2012: Azerbaijan-Israel September 11, 2012: Israel-Russia October 12, 2012: Luxembourg-Israel October 16, 2012: Israel-Luxembourg November 14, 2012* March 22, 2013: Israel-Portugal March 26, 2013: Northern Ireland-Israel June 7, 2013* September 6, 2013: Israel-Azerbaijan September 10, 2013: Russia-Israel October 11, 2013: Portugal-Israel October 15, 2013: Israel-Northern Ireland
