Israel Claim Malta Win
Yossi Benayoun helped himself to a hat-trick as Israel got their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign off to a winning start against Malta on Thursday night.
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MILLET SPORT
Euro 2012 Qualifier
Israel 3 Malta 1
Thursday, 2 September, 2010
The Israelis had the ball in the back of the net with just a minute on the clock though Yossi Benayoun saw his effort ruled out for a handball.
However, the Chelsea midfielder didn't have to wait long to celebrate a legitimate goal when he found the back of the net again in the 7th minute.
From then on, Israel seemed to be coasting, almost treating the game like a training session. All that meant the sparse home crowd in the national Ramat Gan stadium were in even more of a shock when the visitors levelled in the 38th minute when Jamie Pace expertly headed in Roderick Briffa's free-kick past Dudu Awat.
After some no doubt strong words from new manager Luis Fernandez at the break, Israel began the second half creating chances, and retook the lead when Benayoun claimed his second of the match from the penalty spot midway through the second half. Almog Cohen burst into the box only to be brought down by Maltese substitute Andrew Cohen, Benayoun did the rest sending Andrew Hogg in the visitors goal the wrong way.
With the lead in tact, Israel once again looked to be in control, though the visitors still posed a threat notably when Briffa eased himself past several challenges only to be denied by Awat.
However, the game and points were put beyond doubt when Benayoun claimed his hat-trick. Substitute Gil Vermouth ended a creative run with a shot which Hogg could only parry up in the air, allowing Benayoun the simplest of finishes as he headed into an open net from a yard out.
The Israelis next face Georgia on Tuesday night.
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MILLET SPORT
