Re: Cyprus vs. Isreal 11/17/04 [R] WCQ Benayoun.. Our diamond and stars is injured..... This is definately bad news for our team... In a way, it may show other plays who want to succeed, especailly new comers like David Revivo and Ofir Azu who are just getting capped this game for the first time.. on a happier note...our U21 beat Cyprus 1-0 by a goal from Bucharian!!!
Line Up Yossi Benayoun apparently is feeling better and is supposed to start tonight. Starting Line Up: GK Nir Davidovitch (Maccabi Haifa) Def Tal Ben Haim (Bolton Wanderers Football Club) Def Arik Benado (Maccabi Haifa) Def Klimi Saban (Hapoel Petah Tikva) Def Adoram Keisi (Hapoel Petah Tikva) Mid Omri Afek (Unión Deportiva Salamanca) Mid Walid Badir (Maccabi Haifa) Mid Avi Nimni (Beitar Jerusalem) Mid Yossi Benayoun (Real Racing de Santander) For Yaniv Katan (Maccabi Haifa) For Pini Balili (Kayserispor)
Update The Israeli fans always seem to be three seconds ahead of the band playing Hatikva. Badir had a great shot that took a spin and was saved by the Cypriot 'keeper in the 1st minute. Currently minute number 2.
Update Currently in the 5th minute Israel stringing good passes, spreading the ball around. A good run by Katan but someone was offside. Israel looking positive. Cyprus gets their first chance in the Israeli third and loses it to the Israeli defence.
Re: Cyprus vs. Isreal 11/17/04 [R] WCQ Thanks for the updates. Us Irish fans are quite interested in this match, and Brian Kerr is in Cyprus to have a look at Israel.
Update Currently in the 8th minute Balili loses the ball to a Cypriot defender who gives it to Keisi. Keisi crosses to Benayoun in the box too far, Afek gets it passes to Benayoun, Benayoun one touches to Afek closing in in the box but it is offside.
Update Currently in the 13th minute Klimi Saban gives away a corner to the Cypriots. Number 10 to take the corner. The players in the box are warned by the ref. Israel easily hits it out. The ball comes back to the Cypriots who lose it once again to Israel. The last couple of passes by both squads have been sloppy. Cypriots in the Israeli third but Yaniv Katan steals it quickly loses it to Cyprus but Badir makes sure the Cypriots do not get a chance. Nimni to Benayoun in the box he tries crossing it but the Cypriot stopper gets down to stop the cross.
Update Currently in the 16th minute Israel had a great chance but Balili was offside. The Cypriots can't seem to really get through the Israeli defence so far. Avi Nimni has had some great through balls to the attack. Klimi Saban having trouble getting to some passes. He could be a weak spot that the Cypriots need. Not many fans at the stadium. Can't believe more Israelis didn't go. It was only $199 to fly to the match with a ticket to the match included. Busses also to and from the airport. Balili with a great back heal to Benayoun who is taken down just outside the box. Great setup by Nimni first.
Goal! Nimni strikes the ball and the keeper can't handle it, Keisi gets there first. GOAL Israel! 1-0 Israel!
Update Cyprus 0-1 Israel Currently in the 21st minute Israel had a three on three but Benayoun couldn't get to Badir's through ball. Cyprus tries once again this time in the Israeli box but they can't seem to get very far. Israel hitting the ball into touch. A good cross but Davidovitch knocks it out. Balili had a great run but no one was available, could have been two nil. Cypriot offside in the box.
Update Cyprus 0-1 Israel Currently in the 30th minute Israel sending too many balls into the Cypriot defence with no one there to take it but the Cypriot defence giving the Cypriots a chance to regroup and attack. Benado takes down number 11 on the far sideline. Free kick to Cyprus. Fighting in the box and Tal Ben Haim goes down. Number 14 for Cyprus gets a yellow card.
Update Cyprus 0-1 Israel Currently in the 34th minute Free kick easily cleared by the Israeli defence (Nimni). A Cypriot went down in the box but the ref called for Israel to receive the ball. Badir with his fourth offside. Balili almost gets himself carded for going in on two Cypriot players one after the other. Cypriot police officers have beaten some man in the stands. I hope it is not one of us.
Update Cyprus 0-1 Israel Currently in the 40th minute Balili with Katan on the attack passes to Katan in the middle of the box but his shot is blocked by a Cypriot defender. Afek takes the corner, a Cypriot kicks it away but to Balili whos shot from about 25 metres goes wide. A scuffle in the Israeli box but no call. Israel looking okay but needs to hol more possesion and not give up the ball. A Cypriot goes up for the ball on a header gives a high boot into Balili's chest. No call made. Katan down the right side and the Cypriots kick it out. Israel throw in. Katan to Benayoun who passes it off to Nimni who receives about three Cypriot defenders too who strip him of the ball.
Update Cyprus 1-1 Israel Currently in the 45th minute Israel really lacking a natural striker. Relying too much on our midfield to set up easy oppurtunities. Israel with a great chance. Katan goes into the box passes to Balili with two men on him who lays it off to Nimni whos shot is stopped. Cyprus equalizes on a great cross into the box and Afek doesn't follow number 9 enough who just puts it right past Davidovitch.
Update Cyprus 1-1 Israel Halftime Just as usual. My prediction was that Israel would score first and then lose. I was hoping that I would be wrong but this is just typical Israel!
Update Cyprus 1-1 Israel Currently in the 64th minute Both sides can't seem to be making mistakes but neither can take advatange. Cyprus is looking alot better. Omer Golan came on early in the half. Abbas Suan of Bnei Sakhnin is getting up off the bench.
Update Cyprus 1-1 Israel Currently in the 70th minute Yaniv Katan comes off for Abbas Suan. Cyprus has been holding the ball well and is looking alot more dangerous. Great shot outside of the box by Cyprus but Davidovitch streches to hit it out. A Cypriot is down on the field. He has gotten up and it looks like he will continue but the ref seems to want him off the field to continue play immediately. Omer Golan strikes the ball but it is way off target. Goal kick. Benado gets to it but it falls to Cyprus who hits it out. Israel attack now Nimni with a header but it is wide. Defence hits it back to Davidovitch very close but he hits it out. Keisi to Benayoun runs into the box and crosses but it is hit out. Nimni on the side but the ref calls a foul on Nimni. Rain is falling now on the pitch.
Update Cyprus 1-1 Israel Currently in 76th minute Nimni took down a Cypriot in the box. Penalty. The kick...off the post after Davidovitch saves! This could be what Israel needs to get them going again.
Update Cyprus 1-1 Israel Currently in the 82nd minute David Revivo comes on for Omri Afek. Benayoun will play the entire match. Heres hoping to David Revivo scoring in his first ever match for the national side. Not much to report. Cyprus gets the ball down the pitch, Israel knocks it forward and vice versa. This match is more like tennis then football. Nimni takes a shot, out for a corner. David Revivo with the corner headed out Benayoun with an amazing kick but the Cypriot keeper makes a fantastic save. The second corner easily handled. Israel looking alot better in the last couple of minutes.
Update Cyprus 1-1 Israel Currently in the 85th minute Benayoun taken down right by the box. Free kick and a yellow card to number six for Cyprus. Revivo takes the kick, out for a corner. Revivo takes the corner. The Cypriot keeper runs out to hit the ball, Israel pressures but the ball goes out for a Cyprus throw in. Omer Golan took a shot at the corner of the box but he had nothing on it, easily saved. Number 10 goes down after Abbas Suan gives him a Sakhnin welcome to football. Suan then receives the yellow card.
Goal! Cyprus 1-2 Israel Currently in the 86th minute Benayoun goes by about three Cypriot defenders and leaves it to Nimni whos off balance shot goes in!
Update Cyprus 1-2 Israel Currently in the 89th minute Cyprus is looking to get even and knowing Israel they could still lose. Davidovitch gets carded for delay of game. Channel 1 having trouble with their sattelite. Cyprus in the box headed out by David Revivo. Cyprus throw in, the picture keeps getting messed. Are these guys nutting me? Cyprus holding lots of possesion.
Update Cyprus 1-2 Israel Fulltime After four minutes of stopage time, Israel wins for the first time ever on Cypriot soil. Bad match. I don't know why they are celebrating so much.