ISRAEL TIES FRANCE IN SOCCER

Walid Badier ties one on French
Israel again waited until late in the match to equalize, and finished the match with a feeling that it could have won Wednesday night against former European and world champion France. However, a 1-1 draw will have to suffice as the boys in blue and white remained undefeated after six matches in Group Four of 2006 World Cup qualifying.

Israel is tied for the group lead with France, as both teams have 10 points from six games. Ireland and Switzerland are right behind with nine points from five matches. Ireland hosts Israel on June 4.

The group winner will advance to the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany automatically, as will the two best second-place teams out of the eight European groups. The remaining six second-place teams enter a playoff round for the final three spots.

On Wednesday, Israel played with confidence and stood up to the physical French, even though the hosts weren't able to put a shot on target until the 77th minute when 'keeper Fabien Bathez pulled a super save on an Avi Nimni drive. But six minutes later, Walid Badier, the Israeli No. 10, scored his tenth goal for Israel, which also gave the blue-and-white ten points in its group and delighted the sellout crowd of 44,000. It was the first goal that France has allowed all tournament.

France played the final 35 minutes with 10 men after Juventus forward David Trezeguet was sent off for head-butting Tal Ben-Haim.

"To finish a game with 1-1 draw against a team like France, which is ranked second in the world, and to be disappointed that we didn't win is an achievement in itself," Israel coach Avraham Grant said afterward.