Israel victory gives England hope

TEL AVIV, Israel -- Israel took Russia's Euro 2008 qualification hopes out of their own hands after snatching a 2-1 injury-time victory in the Group E tie at Ramat Gan Stadium on Saturday.

The result means that England can still qualify with a draw against Croatia on Wednesday, while Russia can only go through if they beat Andorra and Steve McClaren's side lose at Wembley.

Croatia qualified for next year's finals in Austria and Switzerland despite losing 2-0 away to Macedonia in a later match on Saturday.

Elyaniv Barda gave Israel a 10th-minute lead, but Diniyar Bilyaletdinov equalized just after an hour.

Dmitri Sychev hit the Israeli woodwork in the 90th minute, and Omer Golan slotted the winner as the home side counter-attacked.

Coach Guus Hiddink had talked up Russia's hopes ahead of the match, claiming that his side deserved to qualify after beating England 2-1 in Moscow.

But the Israelis, who have only lost to Croatia at home and drew 0-0 with the English, made the perfect start when Barak Itzhaki played a perfect low pass through the visitors' defense and Barda lifted a shot expertly over onrushing keeper Vladimir Gabulov.

And the hosts thought they had won a penalty when Sergei Ignashevich appeared to hold back Maor Bar Bazaglo, but the playmaker was ruled offside in a marginal decision.

Itzhaki and Barda were then desperately close to connecting with Bar Bazaglo's outswinging free-kick as a second goal seemed imminent.

But Hiddink rallied his troups and made substitutions, which finally paid dividends in the 61st minute.

Konstantin Zyrianov played the ball across the penalty area to Andrei Arshavin, who slipped it wide to Bilyaletdinov -- whose fierce shot struck the roof of the net despite hitting the legs of keeper Dudu Awat.

Sychev sent a shot just wide as Russia pressed forward seeking the winner which would send them through to the finals, and it appeared he was about to score it until his late shot hit the outside of the post.

It gave Israel the chance to escape down the other end, where substitute Golan kept his cool to finish off in style in the second minute of time added on.

The result left Israel in fourth place, one point behind the Russians with one match to play.

"Of course we are very, very disappointed," Hiddink said. "We were close. We were the team who was dominating the game."

Meanwhile, Goran Maznov and Ico Naumoski scored late goals to give Macedonia victory over Croatia in Skopje.

Maznov beat Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa in the 71st minute, and Naumoski added the second goal with a header eight minutes later, leaving Macedonia in fifth place six points behind Israel. E-mail to a friend