Israel kicked off their delayed Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with victory as they withstood a second-half Cyprus comeback to win 2-1 in Nicosia this evening.

Omar Damari and Tal Ben Haim struck in the final stages of the first half to give the visitors, whose first scheduled fixture against Belgium last month was postponed, a two-goal cushion at the interval.

The hosts pulled one back through captain Konstantinos Makridis, but Israel hung onto the points to move level with their opponents, who failed to build on their win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, in the Group B table.

It was Cyprus who started the brighter as Andreas Makris and Makridis tried their luck from range, but Israel soon took control of possession and eventually a series of chances came their way.

Ben Haim, namesake of the former Chelsea and Manchester City defender who was also in the lineup, tested Cyprus goalkeeper Antonis Georgallides with a 20-yard drive minutes before Damari's opener.

The striker met a cross from strike partner Ben Haim to shoot into the bottom corner on 38 minutes, and Eran Zahavi should have doubled Israel's lead moments later when he struck straight at Georgallides.

Ben Haim did put the visitors 2-0 up prior to the interval as he impressively weaved his way through several challenges in the penalty area before finishing smartly for his second international goal.

Israel went chasing a third in the early stages of the second period and would have got one had Zahavi not been wasteful again, while Shiran Yeini and Gil Vermot also sent efforts off target.

Cyprus set up an exciting conclusion to the match when Makridis thumped home a loose ball inside the penalty area on 66 minutes, after a cross intended for Dimitris Christofi was deflected into his path.

The hosts pushed for a point and Vincent Laban's glancing header in stoppage time appeared bound for the top corner before Ofir Martziano leapt to keep it out with a remarkable match-winning save.