Israel cruise past Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Israel go top of Group B with dominant home win
• Gil Vermouth, Omer Damari and Eran Zahavi get the goals in Haifa
• Toni Šunjić dismissed for visitors in second half
• Hosts maintain perfect record of three wins from three
• Next games: Israel v Wales, Andorra v Bosnia and Herzegovina (28 March)

Israel maintained their perfect start in their UEFA EURO 2016 Group B qualifying campaign with a win against ten-men Bosnia and Herzegovina in their first match at Haifa's new Itztadion Sammy Ofer.

It was the away side who threatened first as a Miralem Pjanić free-kick demanded a save at full stretch from Ofir Marciano. After 16 minutes Tal Ben Haim II had a golden opportunity to score for the home side but his shot in front of an open goal went wide.

After a few good minutes by the visitors Israel took the lead. Gil Vermouth received the ball from Eran Zahavi on the edge of the box, turned smartly and benefitted from a deflection off Emir Spahić as his shot zipped past goalkeeper Asmir Begović. Just before half-time it was Zahavi again who burst through the middle and the No7 slipped Omer Damari into the area and the forward hit his fifth of the qualifying campaign. His deft finish sent the hosts in at the interval with a two-goal cushion.

Early in the second period Damari drove forward again and this time was brought down by last-man Toni Šunjić who was shown a red card. It was all Israel from that point and they rounded off the win with 20 minutes remaining. Zahavi got the goal his performance deserved as Damari repaid the earlier assist, playing a pass back to the playmaker who slotted past Begović to seal a convincing win.