Israel coach Kashtan salutes Benayoun

JERUSALEM, Oct 8 (Reuters) Israel coach Dror Kashtan today praised his injured captain Yossi Benayuon for his bravery and commitment following the 1-1 draw with Russia in their Euro 2008 qualifier in Moscow.

West Ham midfielder Benayoun was in far from sparkling form in the match but said he was willing to risk his fitness to help Israel's cause in attempting to qualify for a first major tournament since the 1970 World Cup finals.

''The number of injections he received ... I don't think there has been anything like it,'' Kashtan was quoted as saying in the Maariv daily.

''The lad did everything he could, even if here and there things did not go as he had wanted. I salute him, he proved that the national team, the state of Israel and its symbols are important to him,'' Kashtan added.

Benayoun is suffering from a nagging calf injury and was rated as a doubtful starter for the match.

''I had a poor game ... I was in pain but I decided to ignore it.

I felt this match was too important for me to miss,'' he said.

Israel are in second place behind England on goal difference in Group E with seven points from three matches. The other teams in the group are Croatia, Macedonia, Estonia and Andorra.

Israeli commentators applauded Kashtan's second-half substitutions which brought Amit Ben Shushan's equaliser, but noted their uninspiring performance, particularly in the first half when Russia took an early lead through Andrei Arshavin.

The draw stretched Israel's unbeaten run to 13 competitive matches. The last time they lost in a World Cup or European Championship qualifier was a 3-0 defeat by France in Paris in October 2003.

Israel's next Euro 2008 qualifier is at home against Croatia on November 15.

Reuters AB DB1846