Spare a thought for Israel

[Junior]

This thread is not intended to start a political debate.

On a footballing issue I think the Israelis were most worthy of qualifying out of our group. The most improved side as well as coming from behind in nearly all of their games versus us, France and the Swiss.

Ourselves, France and the Swiss were all very poor in this campaign, probably be justice if France and Swiss didn't get through the playoffs!

[Peadar]

On a footballing issue I think the Israelis were most worthy of qualifying out of our group.

Israel didn't do enough, it's as simple as that!

probably be justice if France and Swiss didn't get through the playoffs!

France aren't in the play-off's, they've qualified.

I agree though that the Swiss will bring nothing significant with them to the World Cup. I'd be happy to see them not qualify.

[Conor H]

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On a footballing issue I think the Israelis were most worthy of qualifying out of our group. The most improved side as well as coming from behind in nearly all of their games versus us, France and the Swiss.

!

Isrealies...cheating *******s! .Did nothing IMO do makr=e themselves wothy of qualification.

[Junior]

Israel didn't do enough, it's as simple as that!

No **** sherlock However, do you take the point out of the other 3 contenders in the group they had put in the best performances, comebacks, most improved side and therefore perhaps more worthy of a spot at the world cup finals??

Im well aware of how the group finished up (despite my glaring France comment ) I was looking for a more intelligent & reasoned debate on how others thought the Israelis had done in footballing terms.

[Saint Tom]

fair play to them, they have improved no end . why should we begrudge them? maybe we should have looked at our own shambolic performances against them instead?

they were an average side a best who play with fight and passion. More than we can say about our average side who have no fight or passion

[sligoman]

Israel deserve what they got-NOTHING!

[pineapple stu]

Something like the first team in 28 years to not lose a game and still not qualify. Hard to feel any sympathy for them after their antics in Lansdowne, though. Harsh maybe, but that's football.

[TheBoss]

I think that Israel were the un luckiest team not to get a play-off at least. They did not lose a game and cam 3rd, if that is not unlucky I do not know what is. If that had a been a different group, they would have probably done it.

[4tothefloor]

Regarding their improvement - you have to take in to account the fact that previous to this campaign they had to play their home games outside of Israel on neutral ground, due to the troubles. They suffered big time because of this, and didn't have the partizan crowd behind them that they had in this campaign. Yeah they've improved, but it's no surprise to see an improvement when they have home advantage back again. And if you look at their squad, they have some very effective players playing in some of the top leagues. If you look at us, we are very over-rated apart from Roy Keane, Duff and Given. The French were in a mess but still pulled it off, while the Swiss remind me of past German teams - efficient, with a couple of good players, but nothing special really.

[Jerry The Saint]

Here's something to think about - if Henry hadn't had his moment of magic and scored against us in Lansdowne...

France would have come fourth in the group
Israel would have qualified automatically!

[thejollyrodger]

israel, who cares.

[CollegeTillIDie]

Something like the first team in 28 years to not lose a game and still not qualify. Hard to feel any sympathy for them after their antics in Lansdowne, though. Harsh maybe, but that's football.

Well Ireland were unbeaten for Euro 92 and did not qualify.
The last team I can remember being unbeaten and not qualifying in the World Cup were Belgium in 1974 who finished unbeaten in second place behind Holland and not only were unbeaten they did not concede a goal, drawing 0-0 twice with the Dutch.