Israel loses 2-1 to Cyprus in vital soccer qualifier

Israel lost 2-1 to Cyprus in a vital European Championships soccer qualifying game at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on Saturday night. The home defeat put an all-but complete end to Israel’s chances of qualifying for next year’s tournament.

A win would have given Israel a likely playoff place, but those hopes were quashed by the unexpected loss.

Having beaten Cyprus away earlier in the qualifying stages, Israel was the favorite to win at home, but Cyprus took a 58th minute lead through a Dossa Junior header. Israel’s Nir Bitton equalized with a glorious strike from outside the penalty area in the 76th minute. But as Israel poured forward in search of a winning goal, it was Cyprus that scored through Jason Demetriou in the 80th minute.

The home team left Teddy to boos from disappointed fans. The stadium was under-filled, since many supporters had stayed away because of the upsurge in terrorism.

In another match in the same group, Bosnia-Herzegovina beat Wales 2-0. That result means Israel is now in fourth place in the group and would need to beat Belgium away and hope other results worked in its favor in the final round of games to make the playoffs.

Commentators castigated Israel coach Eli Guttman’s team for its performance. Channel 5 Sports called the display “humiliating” and praised Cyprus for playing attacking football rather than hunkering in defense.

Israel had retained its theoretical chance of qualifying for next year’s championships after a heroic 0-0 draw with Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium in September.

Needing victory to reach a first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup, Wales dominated that game, but were unable to land a knockout blow against Israel goalkeeper Ofir Marciano.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrTKMT9-lJM