The game will be on Saturday at 9:45 P.M. local, which is 2:45 P.M. USA Eastern. Israel won't qualify, but I still want them to finish ahead of Albania for third, which will be hard if Israel doesn't win this game. Albania is ahead of Israel on goal differential, -1 to -3, with both of them having 3 wins and 3 losses, including the away team having won both head-to-head games 3-0. A loss would even give FYR Macedonia a chance at passing Israel. Israel has finished fourth or better in their last ten World Cup or Euro qualifying groups, with their last fifth place finish in Euro 1996 qualifying.
Israel dominated possession and had more shots on target, 5 to 3, but FYR Macedonia scored the only goal. After consecutive home losses, Israel has 3 wins, 4 losses, a -4 goal differential, and a trip to Italy on Tuesday. If Israel loses and FYR Macedonia wins hosting Albania, FYR Macedonia will be ahead of Israel on goal differential and Israel will fall to fifth.