England's crucial EURO 2008 Group E qualifier against Israel in Tel-Aviv finished 0-0, with both teams seeming quite content for a point.

Following the draw with FYR Macedonia and a loss in Croatia, England needed to achieve a win to keep within range of group leaders Russia and Croatia, but the draw leaves England still playing catch-up in Group E.

Israel started the match with the majority of possession, holding Steve McClaren's team back in the first part of the half, but created few real chances until their only real break of the half, in the 29th minute, which saw Tamuz’s headed chance go wide of Paul Robinson goalpost.

As the first-half progressed, England began to find their way into the match, but were kept a bay by the Israeli defence.

Israel were lucky to not be down to ten-men after Benado, who had already been booked, intentionally obstructed Aaron Lennon as he was making a break down the wing, but was left unpunished by the Swedish referee.

Despite half-chances from Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, and England forcing the majority of possession as the first-half drew to a close, Awat was never really troubled in the Israel goal, with the first-half ending 0-0.

The second half saw England dominate the possession, with the main threat in the second half coming down the right-wing.

Wayne Rooney had a chance to open the scoreline in the 67th minute from an Aaron Lennon cross, which saw the Manchester United striker free at the far post, but the ball skidded away from him.

An excellent cross from Steven Gerrard found Frank Lampard, but his acrobatic volley was well saved at the second attempt by Awat, while Rooney and Tal Ben Haim both saw yellow after getting involved In a scrap in the penalty area.

Just two minutes later Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher had his effort rebound off the bar and behind for a goal kick.

Micah Richards came on for Phil Neville in the 72nd minute to try and give some more attacking impetus, with Jermain Defoe coming on with ten minutes remaining.

The Spurs man had a good chance with six minutes remaining, but Awat made a fine smothering save as Israel held on for a point.

England had the ball in the net twice in the final five minutes of the match, but the shots from both Micah Richards and Jermain Defoe were rightly flagged offside by the linesman.

The game ended 0-0, with England boss Steve McClaren saying: “That wasn’t good enough, we should have won that game.

“We didn’t start the game well, we were slow, that upset us and once we got into our rhythm, we started to create chances.

“We got ball in the box, we got shots on target. Either it didn’t fall for us, or poor quality, poor finishing and it was two points that we dropped there.”

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