BySimon Griver, Simon Griver
Ben Sahar was on target for club and country in the space of five days.
The 18-year-old striker hit the winner as Israel beat Moldova 1-0 in Wednesday’s Euro 2009 Under 21 Championship qualifier in Ramat Gan. His sixth-minute strike took Israel to the top of Group Four, level on points with Germany, who have played a game less. The result, in the team’s last match under manager Guy Levy, keeps Israel on course to qualify for October’s playoffs where they would contest a place at next year’s finals in Sweden.
Last weekend, Sahar boosted Sheffield Wednesday’s hopes of avoiding the drop with the opening goal in the Owls’ 2-2 draw against playoff hopefuls Crystal Palace at Hillsborough.
Sahar, who has extended his loan deal at the Yorkshire club from Chelsea for a second month, claimed his first goal in his 12th Championship outing this season. Following an unsuccessful eight-match spell at QPR, he netted in his fourth match for Brian Laws’ men.
“I know I have quality to help this team and I have shown that,” Sahar said. “I’m happy here, the manager’s great, I want to repay him with more goals.”
Laws said: “I’m delighted Ben has agreed to stay for a second month. He’s not figured much because of injury and then illness but he’s hungry to play and wants to prove himself here.”
The Chelsea supporter who was forced to leave the Premier League match against Derby County fearing reprisals following antisemitic taunts, has been allowed to move seats for the rest of this season and next.