Israel maintain fine form

Israel - 2 Switzerland - 2: Ireland's other Group Four opponents gained a deserved point each in their qualifying match on Saturday.

Two goals from midfielder Yossi Benayoun saved Israel while the Swiss recovered from an early deficit with two strikes midway through the first half to take the lead through Alexander Frei and Johan Vonlanthen.

Benayoun opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a superb solo effort as he weaved through the middle of the Swiss defence before rounding goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuhler and sidefooting into the empty net.

The organised Swiss managed to equalise through Frei in the 26th minute when Israel failed to clear after a mix-up in the area.

Frei was returning to his side after being suspended for two matches for spitting at England's Steven Gerrard at Euro 2004.

The Swiss then silenced the Tel Aviv crowd of 38,000 when Vonlanthen rose high in the 34th minute to head in from a cross on the left by Ludovic Magnin.

The introduction of Avi Nimni in the second half was supposed to give Israel more control of the midfield, but before he even had a chance to make an impression Benayoun scored for a second time when he volleyed home a rebounding shot off the keeper.

The Swiss continued to dominate throughout the second half, although they tired in the warm evening air, leaving the Israelis to create some dangerous counter-attacking moves.

"A draw is a fair result, but whether I have gained a point or lost two, we will have to see as the tournament progresses," said Swiss coach Kobi Kuhn. "There is still a long way to go."

ISRAEL: Davidovich; Gazal (Nimni 46), Benado, Ben-Haim, Gershon (Saban 78), Keisi, Badir, Tal, Benayoun, Afek, Balili (Golan 58). Goals: Yossi Benayoun 9, 48.

SWITZERLAND: Zuberbuhler; Haas, Magnin, Muller, M Yakin (Henchoz 63), Vogel, Cabanas, Barnetta (Gygax 33), Frei, H Yakin (Lonfat 80), Vonlanthen. Goals: Frei 26, Vonlanthen 34.

Referee: Mark Shield (Australia).