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Wales national football team
European Championship | Qualifiers
Sep 6, 2015 at 5pm UK
 
Israel national football team

0-0

FT

Player Ratings: Wales 0-0 Israel

Sports Mole looks at who stood out during the goalless draw between Wales and Israel in Euro 2016 qualifying Group B.

Wales were forced to wait for confirmation of their place at Euro 2016 this afternoon as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Israel in Cardiff.

The hosts created the vast majority of chances throughout the match but couldn't find a way past the stubborn Israeli rearguard.

Here, Sports Mole looks at who impressed on something of an anti-climactic afternoon in the Welsh capital.


Gareth Bale of Wales takes a shot on goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 group B qualifying match between Wales and Israel at Cardiff City Stadium on September 6, 2015© Getty Images

WALES

Goal

Wayne Hennessey: A spectator for the vast majority of the game, only being called into action to comfortably tip a Hemed header over the bar seven minutes from time. (6/10)

Defence

Chris Gunter: Had very little to deal with from Israel's toothless and unambitious attack. An easy afternoon for the defender. (6/10)

Ashley Williams: Captained Wales to a record fifth consecutive clean sheet, but there will be far tougher tests than this one further down the road. (7/10)

Ben Davies: Another of the back three who was rarely troubled by Israel's attack. (6/10)

Midfield

Jazz Richards: A really bright spark in the opening 20 minutes especially, hounding and harassing the opposition and winning the ball back in good areas. Heavily involved throughout and gave Ben Harush a difficult afternoon. (7/10)

Aaron Ramsey: Always looking to get involved, but the space was rarely there for him due to Israel's defensive set-up. Probably should have put his side ahead early on, only to nod a rebound over with much of the goal gaping. (6/10)

Dave Edwards: A steady enough presence in the middle of the park, but he never looked like providing the spark of creativity or surging run into the box that might open up the Israel defence. (6/10)

Andy King: Supported the front men well from midfield but was guilty of missing two good chances. The first saw his low effort well saved by Marciano, while he headed the second straight at the keeper from a corner. (6/10)

Neil Taylor: Provided some good width for Wales and was usually available out on the left flank, but he didn't have the same impact as Richards on the opposite side. (6/10)

Attack

Gareth Bale: So often the hero for Wales, but looked a little too eager to make the difference at times today. Went for goal on a few occasions when a pass may have been the better option, although he did nearly squeeze a late winner into the bottom corner. (6/10)

Hal Robson-Kanu: Offered Wales a decent physical presence up front and linked up well with those around him. Played the pass through for King's good chance. (6/10)

Substitutes

Simon Church: Thought he had written his name into Welsh folklore for one glorious second right at the death, before his stoppage-time header was ruled out for offside. (6/10)

Sam Vokes: Brought on with just four minutes remaining and offered another target for the long balls forward as Wales went for a winner. (6/10)


Wales's defender Ashley Richards (R) vies with Israel's defender Omri Ben Harush during the Euro 2016 qualifying group B football match between Wales and Israel at Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on September 6, 2015© Getty Images

ISRAEL

Goal

Ofir Marciano: Made a number of decent saves to keep Wales at bay, with the pick of the bunch seeing him stick out a leg to deny Ramsey. (7/10)

Defence

Elazar Dasa: Booked for time wasting before the half-time whistle had been blown having spent the majority of the opening 45 minutes on the back foot. Tried to get forward a little more in the second half. (6/10)

Orel Dgani: Also picked up a yellow for a foul right on the edge of the box, but helped Israel to hold firm despite plenty of pressure from the hosts. (6/10)

Tal Ben Haim: Used all of his experience to help keep Wales at bay. It wasn't the prettiest performance from the Israel skipper, but it was effective. (6/10)

Eitan Tibi: Lucky to avoid conceding a penalty having appeared to help the ball behind for a corner with his arm. Solid otherwise alongside his similarly stubborn teammates. (6/10)

Omri Ben Harush: Really struggled up against Richards, particularly in the first half. Many of Wales' best moments came down his side. (5/10)

Midfield

Nir Bitton: Effectively played as another defender for much of the match and offered some good protection to those behind him. Made it difficult for the likes of Bale and Ramsey to find space. (6/10)

Bibras Natcho: Had to be very disciplined in the first half, with the Israel midfield rarely venturing out of their own half. Did the job asked of him well. (6/10)

Baram Kayal: Taken off at half time, partly due to the joy Wales were enjoying down his wing. Didn't give Ben Harush enough protection defensively. (5/10)

Attack

Eran Zahavi: Earmarked as Israel's danger man, but had very few opportunities to showcase his talents before eventually being withdrawn. (5/10)

Munas Dabbur: Had the thankless task of leading the line in a first half that saw Israel barely break out of their own half. Replaced at the interval. (5/10)

Substitutes

Tomer Hemed: Came on at half time and had a chance to nick an unlikely win late on with a header that needed to be tipped over. (6/10)

Tal Ben Haim: Also introduced at half time and increased his side's attacking threat, although he didn't do anything of note until providing the cross for Hemed's header. (6/10)

Ben Sahar: Replaced Zahavi deep into injury time as Israel looked to run down the clock. (6/10)


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Gareth Bale of Wales takes a shot on goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 group B qualifying match between Wales and Israel at Cardiff City Stadium on September 6, 2015
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