England alive after Israel beat Russia
Monday, 19 November 2007
RAMAT GAN, Israel, Nov 18(AP): England's bid to qualify for next year's European Championship is still alive. Israel beat Russia 2-1 Saturday night, preventing the Russians from climbing past the English into second place in Group E with one game remaining.
Russia had put itself in control of gaining a berth with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over England in Moscow last month. But now England can qualify with a tie or victory Wednesday against first-place Croatia at Wembley.
Croatia (8-1-2) clinched a berth because of Israel's win despite a 2-0 loss at Macedonia and leads with 26 points, followed by England (7-2-2) with 23. Russia (6-2-3) is third with 21 but England has the tiebreaker because of a better goal difference in its two games against the Russians.
Russia could have virtually eliminated England by beating Israel but now win at last-place Andorra Wednesday and hope the English lose.
Russia had put itself in control of gaining a berth with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over England in Moscow last month. But now England can qualify with a tie or victory Wednesday against first-place Croatia at Wembley.
Croatia (8-1-2) clinched a berth because of Israel's win despite a 2-0 loss at Macedonia and leads with 26 points, followed by England (7-2-2) with 23. Russia (6-2-3) is third with 21 but England has the tiebreaker because of a better goal difference in its two games against the Russians.
Russia could have virtually eliminated England by beating Israel but now win at last-place Andorra Wednesday and hope the English lose.