cyprus v isreal

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Originally Posted by livehead1

israel will not be a problem to beat. i dont recall the last time they qualified for anything. our side has some class players

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I'm sure Switzerland, Spain, Russia, Yugoslavia, Argentina and Poland have said that travelling to Tel Aviv in recent years. I'm also pretty sure Austria weren't expecting to get beaten 5-0 and Turkey felt they were good enough to avoid get a 4-0 Pasting. It never unfolded for any of those teams. Only 2 teams have beaten Israel in Tel Aviv in 24 matches since 1999 and they were both Scandinavian.

Its posts like the above that make me happy to see Israel beating Cyprus. If they failed to beat them the fans and media would be putting so much pressure on the players to beat them just like they did after Switzerland's supposedly poor European Championships.

For the sake of repeating myself and many others on this messageboard. Ireland have not beaten a decent international side in a qualifying match since the Scots in '87. Personally (not that I've an indepth knowledge) I would rate Israel a decent side.

Their club sides have been making relative progress in European cup competitons. The national side have been making gradual improvements with the 0-0 in ther Stade de France the highlight of their achievements thus far. When the chips are down their record is mediocre. Seem to remember Yougoslavia beating therm by a cricket score in the Euro 2000 playoffs. (Someone correct me about team and comp., not sure)

Anyhow back to topic, I reckon Ireland would be reasonably happy with 4 points from Israel in the 2 matches. 2 points would be a welcome bonus.

History does'nt lie!

SKBIO-TOR

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Originally Posted by skbio_toronto

For the sake of repeating myself and many others on this messageboard. Ireland have not beaten a decent international side in a qualifying match since the Scots in '87.

History does'nt lie!

SKBIO-TOR

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yes, but we'll have to beat a decent side away from home again someday though and under the present management and with the current set of players i reckon we will do it sooner rather than later. i reckon israel away could be the one we do it in. agreed, their club sides are improving but still think we are a far better side as the rankings will testify. if we can beat them away i reckon we'll qualify. its a massive game

i didnt say israel will not be a problem to beat away from home. i believe at lansdowne we will beat them and also away in tel aviv we can beat them. the irish side for these qualifiers is possibly the strongest squad in 20years....another debate here? we say the strength of israeli/palestinian football against newcastle? it is better to be confident going into this game than lacking confidence. ireland are full of confidence off the back of some great results and i feel this will continue....maybe im over-optimistic but when u have players in our side valued at millions of pounds, and earning 30,000 a week which a good few do, you have to be looking to beat sides like israel

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Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Israel away would probably be twice as tough as France at home baring in mind they haven't lost in Israel since 99 and we haven't beaten a decent team away since 1987.

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Holland in 2004???? Robbies winner!!!!

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Originally Posted by tarzan1

Holland in 2004???? Robbies winner!!!!

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Sorry, that should be in competitive fixtures (specifically qualifiers as they are the only competitive fixtures that actually have away games). :)