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Ireland's goalkeeper Shay Given dives in vain as he misses on the equalizing goal by Israel's Abas Suan during their European Group 4 World Cup qualifying match in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, March 26, 2005. (AP)
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| By Associated Press March 27, 2005 |
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| Israel's Abas Suan , left, and Arik Benado , center, celebrate after Suan scored in the 91st minute. (AP) |
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Substitute Abbas Suan, an Arab Israeli, scored in injury time Saturday to give Israel a 1-1 draw with Ireland in European World Cup qualifying.
Suan scored a minute into second-half injury time, blasting a 25-meter (yard) shot through the box and past Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given.
Ireland had taken the lead in the fourth minute when Damien Duff crossed to Clinton Morrison standing at the near post. Morrison then twisted around Israel defender Shimon Gershon to curl the ball into the net at an acute angle.
Ireland and Israel both have nine points in Group 4.
"In my opinion, the Irish team is one of the best to play here in recent years," Israel forward Avi Nimni said. "Fortunately they were satisfied with a 1-0 win. This gave us the chance to get back in the game. We believed in ourselves and in the end day we did get back."
Ireland coach Brian Kerr was happy with the draw.
"With the goal coming so late on, this feels like points dropped," Kerr said. "Give credit to Israel because they fought to the end, but it's so disappointing to concede so late. Before the game we felt a win would have been fantastic and a draw good, so this is only a good result."
Given needed a full-stretch save to stop Omri Afrek's shot, which went around the wall and was tipped onto the post. Soon after, Omer Golan headed Adoram Keisi's cross over the bar.
Israel had another strong chance in the 63rd minute, but Yossi Benayoun curled the ball over the bar. After Suan's goal, Ireland missed the chance to snatch the winner when a deflected shot by Duff looped over Israel goalkeeper Dudu Awat and hit the cross bar.
"I think we deserved the tie and maybe even more than that," Israel coach Avraham Grant said. "The Irish team had half a chance that they converted with the kind of elan I wish we had. We had several chances."
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