Israel downs All Whites, 3-0

Press, 12 November 1985, Page 60

Israel downs All Whites, 3-0

NZPA-Reuter Tel Aviv Israel salvaged some pride after a disappointing World Cup soccer campaign when it beat New Zealand 3-0, in the final Oceania Group match yesterday. Three goals in the second half from Nissim Cohen, Moshe Selecter and Ziya Armeli sealed a comfortable victory, and ensured Israel of second place behind Australia in the group. Victory came too late to revive Israel’s hopes of a place in the finals in Mexico

— Australia has already won the Oceania section — — helped answer scathing press criticism. New Zealand, hit by injuries and missing several leading players, began well. Mr Kevin Fallon’s All Whites defended coolly, and the overlapping right-back, Richard Mulligan, made several runs.

But Israel was revitalised by a change of tactics at half-time when it scrapped its 4-4-2 formation, and moved midfielder, Uri Mal-

milian, forward. The home side immediately looked more dangerous and goals were inevitable.

The New Zealand goalkeeper, Frank Van Hattum, made a string of saves, but was finally beaten by a neat lob from Cohen in the sixtyfifth minute.

Selecter added the second nine minutes later when he was unmarked to nod home Malmilian’s comer. Armeli headed the third in the

eighty-fourth minute. Israel started the tournament as Oceania Group favourites, but its poor showing is the subject of an inquest by the Israel Football Association. Australia won the group and will meet Scotland in the two-legged playoff, on November 20 and December 4, for a place in the finals in Mexico next year. Teams:—

Israel - Arie Haviv, Shlomo Kirat, Zion Marelli, Jacov

Eckhaus, Nissim Barda, Gavril Lasri, Moshe Sinai (Ephraim Davaudi), Uri Malmilian, Moshe Selecter, Nissim Cohen, Ziya Armeli.

New Zealand - Frank Van Hattum, Richard Mulligan, Kenny Creswell, Ceri Evans, Malcolm Dunford, Kevin Hagan, Colin Walker, Declan Edge, Allan Boath, Sean Byrne (Steve Sumner), Billy McClure.

Scorers: Nissim Cohen (sixty-fifth minute), Moshe Selecter (74), Ziya Armeli (84).