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Israel to Crack Under Pressure: Hargreaves

September 6th, 2007

Owen Hargreaves believes England will be able to take advantage of Israel’s lack of big-match experience in their vital Euro 2008 qualifier on Saturday. The stakes couldn’t be any higher at Wembley as Steve McClaren’s side try to get their bid to reach next year’s finals back on track.

Only a win will do for England, while the visitors must avoid defeat to keep in the hunt for a top-two finish in Group E.These are the kind of occasions that the best players thrive on and England’s squad is packed full of experience of the biggest Premier League and Champions League games.

In contrast, Israel have few top-level stars and Manchester United midfielder Hargreaves doubts whether they will be able to withstand England’s planned assault and the vociferous atmosphere generated by an 80,000 sell-out crowd.

“I think it is difficult for them. I don’t think they are accustomed to playing in this type of atmosphere and this type of game,” Hargreaves said. “They don’t have the players who play at big clubs. Possibly one or two but our whole squad does.”We are used to those expectations. I’ve never been in a game even against the best teams in the world when we want a draw or play to defend.”I think possibly they will not be used to the atmosphere at the beginning.”That’s why we have to keep the tempo high for the first 30 minutes and try to get a goal or two. “That will completely change the flow of the game because if they keep a clean sheet for the first 30 minutes they will become more comfortable and confident.

“We are going to get forward and attack, take chances and hopefully score goals. If we do that it should be a comfortable game for us.” With Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Frank Lampard and Peter Crouch sidelined through injury and suspension, McClaren has a dearth of attacking options to breakdown Israel’s packed defence.

The visitors are certain to take a cautious approach that could leave Hargreaves under-employed in midfield, presenting the opportunity for a few rare forays forward.The former Bayern Munich star hasn’t scored since his move to Old Trafford and, when asked, he struggled to remember the last time he did hit the back of the net. But that won’t stop him trying his luck against Israel.

“It’s not really one of my biggest strengths,” he said. “I can score goals as well but so far it is not something that has been asked of me. I’m more there for the defensive side of things.”We’ve got great players going forward and hopefully we can get goals. I don’t care if it’s from me or anybody else as long as we win the game.”I think you take what you are given. If there are opportunities to get forward I will try and do that.”

McClaren’s future as England manager is in the balance after a lacklustre qualifying campaign.

If England fail to beat Israel and then Russia next Wednesday, the opprobrium that will pour down on McClaren would make his position virtually untenable, despite his insistence he wants to see the job through to the bitter end. Hargreaves knows England are in a perilous position but expects his side to be in Austria and Switzerland when the tournament kicks-off.

He said: “You’ll see at the end of it if we deserve to qualify. Whoever is there at the end in the top two places will have deserved it.”There are some good teams that have played well so far; Russia, Croatia and Israel. But we are only halfway through and there are still a lot of points to be given.”It doesn’t matter now where we are. You can look at the Premier League table and it’s going to look a lot different at the end of the season,” added the Canadian-born player whose United side sit a lowly eighth after a disappointing start to their campaign.

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Entry Filed under: European Football,Sports News & Results