Israel are dreaming of a first major finals appearance since 1970 as they travel to Russia for their third UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier.

Appointed coach this summer, Dror Kashtan guided Israel to a 1-0 win against Estonia in Tallinn in their Group E opener, and they followed that with a 4-1 triumph against Andorra on neutral territory in the Netherlands. But playing in Russia should provide a first real test of the side's credentials. Guus Hiddink's team, along with England and Croatia, are competing with Israel for the all-important top two places in the section and Kashtan knows his players will have their work cut out if they are to match the achievement of the Israel side that reached the 1970 FIFA World Cup finals.

"After 30 years of trading on the fading memory of the team that went to the World Cup in Mexico in 1970 and the Olympic Games in Montreal in 1976, it is time for us to make another appearance at a major tournament," Kashtan said, throwing down the gauntlet. The most decorated coach in Israeli footballing history, Kashtan has grounds for confidence. He has already tasted victory in the Russian capital, having led Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC to a 3-1 aggregate win against FC Lokomotiv Moskva en route to the 2001/02 UEFA Cup quarter-finals.

As he seeks a second success in Moscow, Kashtan can rely on an ambitious and determined squad bolstered by Argentinian-born striker Roberto Colautti and Nigerian-born forward Toto Tamuz Temile, both of whom scored on their debuts against Estonia and Andorra respectively. However, it is young Beitar Jerusalem FC attacker Amit Ben Shushan who may be the best indication of Kashtan's eye for talent. Promoted from the Under-21s, he found the net on his third appearance - and first start - against Andorra and his presence will alleviate the problems caused by injuries to Yaniv Katan, Michael Zandberg and Omer Golan.

The absence of those players, and potentially Israel's most influential midfielder, West Ham United FC's Yossi Benayoun who is struggling with a calf problem, has not dampened Kashtan's ardour. "I was raised to think only about winning," he said. "Regardless of who and where I play, I want to win - Saturday is no different." Kashtan would love to improve on the record of his predecessor and long-term sparring partner, Avraham Grant, but his priority remains ending that long wait for a second major finals. A good result in Moscow would certainly help him towards achieving that.

"Any result which will take points off Russia will be good enough for me," said the coach. "It will strengthen us and weaken them because if they lose at home they will be left with a point from two matches and that can't be good. Russia will be highly motivated, but we also have something to gain."
© The Canadian Press, 2007