First-half salvo secures Serbia victory

Israel 2-3 Serbia
Serbia began their build-up to the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Sweden with a narrow victory in Tel Aviv.

Half-time lead
The visitors were 3-0 up by half-time thanks to two goals from Nemanja Matić either side of a Marko Milinković strike. Serbia eased off after the restart, though, and Israel reduced their arrears through Muhamad Gdir and Dudu Biton, but despite a late surge from the hosts, the 2007 runners-up held on to kick off their preparations for next summer's tournament with a win.

Matić double
Serbia were in front by the tenth minute when Milinković found Matić unmarked with a free-kick. Milinković doubled the visitors' lead midway through the half when he controlled a header down by Dušan Tadić and beat Israel goalkeeper Ariel Harosh. They then all but assured themselves of victory five minutes before the break, Matić controlling a loose ball in midfield, advancing towards goal and rounding Harosh.

Fightback
Israel made four changes at the interval and buoyed by their new personnel, immediately pulled a goal back on 49 minutes when Gdir was sent clear by Maccabi Haifa FC team-mate Eyal Golsa and slotted past Željko Brkić. In contrast to the first half, Serbia failed to trouble Harosh but despite late pressure, Israel only breached the Serbian backline once more when Biton fired in from ten metres past substitute goalkeeper Bojan Šaranov in added time.

Israel: Harosh; Dgani (Mori, 46), Checkul, Kapiloto, Rosh; Cohen (Gdir, 46), Natcho (Lavi, 75), Golsa (Goata, 82), Malul (Rikan, 46); Tamuz (Biton, 46), Sahar (Damari, 66).
 
Serbia: Brkić (Saranov, 88); Jovanović, Pejčinović, Vilotić (Pajović, 55), Gulan; Fejsa (Petrović, 55), Smiljanić (Savić, 88), Matić, Milinković (Adamović, 77), Tadić (Ljajić, 62); Veljović (Djordjević, 62).