Israel draw with Kosovo in Euro 2024 qualifiers opener
The host team was without its six leading offensive players, including Hoffenheim's Munas Dabbur, for various reasons.
JERUSALEM: Israel and Kosovo drew 1-1 in the Euro 2024 qualifiers Group I on Saturday evening in front of a full house of 30,000 at Bloomfield Stadium in Israel’s coastal city of Tel Aviv-Yafo.
The host team was without its six leading offensive players, including Hoffenheim’s Munas Dabbur, for various reasons.
Kosovo benefited from errors made by the Israeli defense to get on the scoreboard first in the 36th minute, with an own goal by Dynamo Moscow defender Eli Dasa.
Manor Solomon, the hot Fulham scorer, missed the target from a sure goal position in the 40th minute, allowing the Kosovars to keep their lead until halftime.
The visitors almost extended their lead when Galatasaray midfielder Milot Rashica found the back of the net in the 49th minute, but Scottish referee Willie Collum disallowed the goal after watching the VAR replays.
Solomon recovered from his big miss with an accurate assist to Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder Dor Peretz, who evened the score in the 56th minute.
Until the final whistle, Kosovo missed several chances, the best of which was in the 93rd minute, when Rashica shot over the crossbar from just three meters.
Israel will next play against Switzerland in Geneva, while Kosovo host Andorra, with both matches scheduled for Tuesday.
-Xinhua
