Israel to host Croatia in Jerusalem Tue 30 November, 2004 10:22
JERUSALEM, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Israel will host Croatia in a friendly in Jerusalem on February 9, the Israel Football Association said.
The match will be Israel's only preparation fixture against international opponents before home World Cup qualifiers against Ireland on March 26 and France four days later.
Israel's 2-1 victory in Cyprus this month left them on eight points from four Group Four games, the same as leaders Ireland and second-placed France.
The match in Jerusalem is the first international there since February 1999 and the first outside the Tel Aviv area for the national team since 2001.
When UEFA allowed Israel to host matches again last April following a two-year ban due to security concerns, it specified that all games under its jurisdiction must be played in the Tel Aviv area.
The Croatia friendly is not sanctioned by UEFA and can therefore be held at another venue.
