Extracted from
soccernet:
England were thrown a Euro 2008 lifeline in Tel Aviv as Israel
overcame Russia to leave Steve McClaren's men requiring just a draw
against Croatia to qualify.
Dorel Golan's stoppage-time winner, just seconds after Dmitri
Sychev had struck a post with a shot which looked destined to send
England out, must have raised the roof not only off the Ramat Gan
Stadium in Tel Aviv but the Grove Hotel in Watford, where McClaren
was watching on, accompanied by his coaching staff.
McClaren must have been shredding his fingernails as, for 29 long
minutes, Israel resisted their increasingly-desperate vistors after
Diniyar Biyaletdinov had levelled Elianiv Barda's early
effort.
Yet it appeared all the hard work would be wasted when Sychev broke
through.
Amazingly, the Russian's seemingly goalbound shot bounced off the
outside of the Israeli post. And, as they poured forward looking
for a winner, the visitors were caught with the perfect sucker
punch as Golan scored the goal which could mean so much to
McClaren.
With star strikers Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney both missing
through injury, plus skipper John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, who is
suspended, holding Croatia, who have not lost during their Group E
campaign and hammered England in Zagreb 13 months ago, is by no
means automatic.
However, with Croatia now through thanks to Russia's failure
tonight, McClaren will hope they lack the desire his own side must
show if they are to make the most of such an unexpected
reprieve.
There are times when it has appeared McClaren has been cursed as
England manager.
In Russia last month, McClaren's men saw a winning position crumble
completely on the back of an awful penalty decision when a foul by
Wayne Rooney was shown to be well outside the area.
The subsequent loss of Rooney to a freak training ground accident
only increased McClaren's misery, his nightmare compounded by the
thigh strain Michael Owen picked up in Austria last night which
means he will miss the Croatia game.
A consistent theme during a difficult week has been McClaren's
belief that Wembley clash will be make-or-break.
Instead of remaining within the bosom of his family in the
north-east, McClaren chose to watch events unfold with his team of
coaches at their Watford base, desperately hoping his prediction
came true but equally aware it could be his own version of the Last
Supper.
Yet it seemed his prayers were going to be answered when Elianiv
Barda flicked Israel into a 10th-minute lead.
At the time, Russia seemed disabled by nerves, unable to stem the
flow of Israeli attacks.
It would have been no surprise and in no way unjust had the hosts
doubled their lead, although the closest they came was when Barak
Itzhaki and Barda failed by inches to convert Maor Bar Bazaglo's
outswinging free-kick to the far post.
But, as soon as the second-half began, it was obvious Hiddink had
prompted a revolution in belief.
Suddenly, it was Russia on top and creating all the chances.
Although Dudu Aouate stood firm for a while, it was only a matter
of time before the visitors levelled.
The equaliser was a fine example of team play, with four men
involved on the edge of the area before Andrei Arshavin rolled a
pass into the path of Biyaletdinov which invited the finish.
Israel were now on the retreat and McClaren must have had his head
in his hands as he watched Dmitri Sychev flash a 20-yard shot just
wide.
Another shot from Sychev followed, along with yet more Russian
pressure.
Indeed, throughout the final half hour, Israel mustered just one
chance, with Gal Alberman's flick just off target.
But, in a gut-wrenching finale, Sychev came so close to knocking
England out before Golan finished Russia off.
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UNBELIEVEABLE! russia throw away their chance. now the Hype thing
is going back once again n mcclown's ass is save! 
now england need a point when facing croatia n most likely they
will win. well, no thanks to those manu local players who
chickening out by faking injury when a crisis time like this.
somehow i feel england players perform MUCH better with or without
them. 
