Israel – Switzerland: Tale of a draw that could/should have been a Win!

In the heat of Tel Aviv it seemed as if Switzerland had made the crucial (and rather unexpected) result when the game was in extra-time.
Yet someone in the back-line forgets that there are two Israeli players on the flank – the Israelis confusedly managed to set up a low pass that seems to say “Ben Sahar, put me in” and with much glee Ben Sahar does so.
With a 2-0 lead at the 70th minute you have to have the wisdom and ability to hold to that result rather than simply throw away a well-played game in order to regret it later.
Hitzfeld will really have to work on the lack of experience and the naivety of the Swiss team – as a Swiss fan, how can you possibly settle for such a result?
On paper and before the game, a draw was very much welcome. Israel is a tough opposition to crush at home (the battlefield is strewn with the bad memories of some “Big teams” that defied the Israeli home-might) and that little elf called Benayoun is more like a mosquito constantly seeking to puncture a team’s backline. 4 years ago it was Benayoun who scored the two goals of the 2-2 draw against the same opponents (that being, US!) – now he’s done it again, giving Israel 20 minutes to seek that equaliser: it took some time before the Israelis could reap what Benayoun had sown.
The game was far from being impressive, apparently both teams were counting on free kicks, headers and defensive blunders to threaten the two keepers.
The limits of the backline had been compensated by the excellent work in midfield by Yakin and Inler, resulting in two wonder freekicks – the first crashing against the inner crossbar of Aouate’s goal, the second fishing N’Kufo head for a great finish. 2-0 up and everyone seemed to be content, letting the tick-tock refrain lead the game to its ultimate conclusion.
The Swiss players started conceding too much, risking little in front – conceding most of the challenges to their opponents. And they were punished as a consequence.
Benayoun cut the advantage to half at the 76th minute and a late goal by Ben Sahar following a very long pass by keeper Ben Aouate fixed the score on a 2-2, like 4 years ago.
If one looks at how the game was taking shape there is much to regret, but if Switzerland defeats Luxemburg (and beware, just look at Macedonia and Cyprus’ performances, there are no easy teams!) 4 points from two games will be plenty before defying the main rival in their group, Hellas!

Stadium Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv – 31 236 spectators.
Referee: Hansson (Swe).
Goals: 45th Yakin 0-1. 56th Nkufo 0-2. 73rd Benayoun 1-2. 92nd Sahar 2-2.

Israel: Aouate; Kozokin, Ben Haim, Strul, Ziv; Kayal (62nd Ohayon), Cohen; Benayoun, Golan (59th Barda), Toama; Colautti (46th Sahar).

Switzerland: Benaglio; Lichtsteiner, Djourou, Grichting, Magnin; Behrami (88th Spycher), Inler, Huggel, Barnetta (71st Vonlanthen); Yakin (74th Abdi); Nkufo.

Yellow Cards: 16th Golan. 24th Huggel. 64th Cohen.