Sahar Nets Winner For Israel U21s
A seventh minute strike from Chelsea striker Ben Sahar saw Israel's U21 side maintain their challenge for qualification for the 2009 UEFA European U21 Championships as they beat Moldova 1-0 on Wednesday afternoon.
Avenging an 1-0 defeat by the Moldovans earlier on in the qualifying campaign, the win was Israel's fourth in Group 9 and sees them join Germany at the top of the group, though they have played a game more.The only goal of the game arrived when Sahar, currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday from Stamford Bridge, tapped the ball in from close-range after after Maor Buzaglo's shot had been pushed away by Ilie Cebanu in the Moldovan goal.
Sahar had another goal ruled out for offside, before Israeli defender Ori Shitrit cleared Mihail Turcan's shot off the line as the visitors threatened.
Moldova pressed for the equaliser after the break, though found Israel goalkeeper Ohad Levita in fine form. When he was beaten however, Alexandru Dedov saw his shot strke the post.
Israel though held on for the win in a game which marked manager Guy Levy's last in charge of the team. Having been in charge of the team for the past four years, he also became the first manager to lead Israel to the U21 Championships last at last year's event, though they ended it with three straight defeats, and without scoring a goal.
