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| GB 4 - 1 Israel: Match report and photos |
| 03/05/2010 |
Great Britain Men |
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GB v Israel at Fulham's Training Ground, Motspur Park, Surrey.
GB welcomed Israel to Motspur Park for a crucial first leg qualifying match for the European Championships. Both sides were keen to get off to a good start in this qualifying campaign, although the onus was on GB to make the most of home advantage and give their strong support something to smile about after the relative disappointment of finishing 9th in the Deaflympics in Taipei.
The match kicked off with GB in a determined mood, breaking forwards at every opportunity, and already looking sharper than the visitors, who were fortunate not to concede a penalty in the first minute when Sam Evans was bundled over in the box attempting to get a touch on a low teasing cross from the left flank.
GB quickly asserted their authority thereafter and placed Israel under pressure, until a long ball fell to the feet of debutant Sam Evans, who was scythed down in the box by an Israeli defender. Peter Wood stepped up and easily converted the penalty to give GB an early one-nil lead.
GB quickly found a second goal, after a loose ball found Hogan just outside the box. After cutting outside and inside two covering defenders, Hogan was able to poke the ball home under the Israeli goalkeeper to give the opposition a tough challenge at 2-0 down.
Another penalty call was mystifyingly turned down by the referee, with an Israeli defender pushing over Clarke and clearly handling the ball afterwards.
Rallied by this reprieve, Israel began to get back into the game and GB began to lose their rhythm, with chances for both Clarke and Aitken upfront not being converted. The game was drifting towards half-time when Naylor chipped a ball over the Israeli left-back and found Allen on the wing. The midfielder was able to put in a good cross into the six yard box, which was met by a near post volley from Aitken. The resulting shot crashed into the net to give GB a 3-0 lead for half-time.
When the second half restarted, it was clear that the Israelis had come out determined not to concede any further goals, by packing the midfield and denying GB any easy chances to go forwards.
The Israelis then scored a precious away goal, with the Israeli forward smartly controlling a cross and swivelling in a good finish past Spotswood in the GB goal. On that moment, GB were caught out at the back and paid the price for it.
The game increasingly became more and more mean-spirited, with the repeated fouling and play-acting of the Israelis trying the patience of the GB team. During this phase of the game, Wood came off to be replaced by Kerr in midfield, with Millenstead replacing fellow debutant Sam Evans on the wing.
Soon after, GB had the ball in the back of the net, following good work from Aitken, resulting in an Israeli defender turning the ball into his own net. Unfortunately, the referee had blown for offside, a decision which was marginal at best. Costi then came on for his debut, having replaced the hard-working Aitken.
GB soon found a fourth goal to give them some breathing space, with Allen beating two tackles on the centre circle and playing it wide to Hogan. Hogan then outstripped the covering defence and centred the ball back to Allen, who had the simple task of sidefooting the ball past the keeper to make it 4-1. Despite further half-chances, the score remained that, and the whistle blew for full-time.
The 4-1 scoreline gives GB a three-goal lead to defend for the second leg at Tel Aviv a month later, where they will have to face the Israelis for a place in the 2011 European Championships in Odense, Denmark. The solid overall performance of the team and the bright display of the four players making their debut in this match will give manager Phillip Gardener some food for thought in the coming weeks.
Match report by Jon Evans, GB's captain
Manager Phillip Gardner comments;
"Although this game cannot be described as a classic game, I am no doubt delighted with the result for new players have made a good impression of themselves. It was an excellent start for the new coach who was keen to make his mark with GB Football, and we now look forward to improve on our all-round game in the second leg. We will, of course, carry the fantastic support of the GB fans, they were most inspirational. It was the first time Israel played us here, and credit to them for recovering from three goals down to hold us throughout the game. We shall take the second leg most seriously, and it will be an unique experience for us."
Karim Al-Fayed greets the GB players introduced by Jon Evans, GB's captain
Derek Simmons, UKDS' President shakes the hand of Jasper Woolfe, GB's mascot
Israel's captain introduces Karim Al-Fayed to the team
GB's VIPs; from L to R: Derek Simmons (UKDS President) Nick Beese (GB Trustee) Karim Al-Fayed (Fulham) Bjorn Roine (EDSO Secretary) Martin Lewis (BDF) and Mike Webster (BDSC)
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