Israel defeat of FYROM in vain

Israel missed out on the UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs despite beating the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

The 2013 finals hosts made sure of victory in Larnaca thanks to Munas Dabbur's penalty. Unable to catch Portugal at the top of qualifying Group 8, Israel were hoping to be one of the four best runners-up but their 15 points are not enough.

Dor Mikha, Ben Reichert and Taleb Twatha were impressive from the off and after 25 minutes two of them combined for the opener. Israel launched a swift counter and Reichert centred from the right for Mikha to score.

Dejan Iliev in the FYROM goal brilliantly denied Mikha just before half-time and three minutes after the interval Tauljant Sulejmanov equalised as he intercepted a back pass 35 metres out, advanced and shot in.

Six minutes later, though, Visar Musliu brought down Dabbur in the box and the No10 stepped up to convert the penalty. Angelće Timovski did hit the post for FYROM but they end the group in fifth and last place.