England and Israel still hoping

England coach Steve McClaren and Israel's Dror Kashtan both think they can still qualify for the finals of Euro 2008 despite Saturday's disappointing goalless draw.

The result in Tel Aviv was a setback for both countries, with Group E leaders Croatia moving on to 13 points with a 2-1 win over Macedonia, while Russia are second on 11 after beating Estonia 2-0.

England are third on eight points, ahead of Israel only on goal difference. The top four teams have all played five matches and have seven remaining.

"My job is to qualify, to make sure that we are at Euro 2008... I am very confident we will get that," McClaren said after the match.

"Just because you don't win at home doesn't mean that you have lost the chance to gain more points later in the tournament," Kashtan said.

With Croatia appearing to run away with the group, England will have to start picking up the pace quickly to stay in contention. They meet Andorra in Barcelona on Wednesday in a match they are expected to win.

But Israel should stay in the chase after their home game against Estonia in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

Despite the three points England can expect in Barcelona, their remaining fixture list is a potential minefield.

There is an away clash to Estonia in June before a home match with Israel at Wembley in September.

That is followed by a home clash with Russia in September, a home meeting against Estonia and then away to Russia in October before concluding with a home match against Croatia.

Israel's challenge looks as if it should fade during their next four matches, all away. Three of them are very tough fixtures against Macedonia in June, England in September and Croatia in October. They also face Andorra in June.

Israel's media voiced their disappointment at the performance of both teams in a clash seen as the most high-profile match in the Jewish state for over half a century.

Hebrew daily Ma'ariv praised Deportivo goalkeeper Dudu Aouate, who "saved Kashtan's blushes by keeping Israel's theoretical qualification hopes alive."

The paper said the country would not tolerate any more concessions and that only a win over Estonia would be acceptable.

Ma'ariv also expressed disappointment at England's performance.

"McClaren's side are at best a mid-table Premier League side who might just clinch a UEFA Cup spot," wrote reporter Yoni Halelli.