SM
Inter Milan vs. Como: 14 hrs 48 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
PN
World Cup | Qualifiers
Oct 11, 2013 at 8.45pm UK
 
IN

1-1

Costa (27')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Basat (85')

Portugal held at home by Israel

:Headline: Result: Portugal held at home by Israel: ID:110626: from db_amp
Ben Basat's late goal all but crushes Portuguese hopes for qualifying for the World Cup automatically.

Portugal could not see off Israel this evening as their prospects of qualifying for the World Cup in Brazil next summer diminish.

A goal from Ricardo Costa just before the half-hour put the Iberians in front but they were unable to increase their advantage as they failed to convert their early dominance into chances.

Indeed, Israel almost took the lead against the run of play when Cristiano Ronaldo was dispossessed by Tal Ben-Haim who strode forward and set up Maharan Radi, but he dragged his effort wide from the edge of the area.

The visitors started the second half far brighter than they did the first but it was the Portuguese who nearly found a way through when Ronaldo's trickery and cross found Hugo Almeida who somehow headed over when it was easier to score.

He nearly did nab a goal on 52 minutes when he nodded home only to find he'd strayed offside.

As the game progressed, the hosts still squandered attacking positions and were made to pay as keeper Rui Patricio inexplicably gave the ball to Ben Basat, who slotted it home with five minutes remaining.

Israel held on to draw and it means that Portugal will almost certainly be in the playoffs, with Russia three points ahead and with a significantly weaker goal difference.

Russia travel to Azerbaijan on Tuesday knowing that a draw means they qualify automatically for the finals no matter what Portugal can do at home to Luxembourg.

amp_article__110626 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2013-10-12 09:31:35:
html db last update - 2013-10-12 09:31:35 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .