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By Ori Lewis
TEL AVIV, March 28 (Reuters) - A save from Israeli goalkeeper Dudu Aouate in injury time helped his side earn a 1-1 with Greece in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
Greece are level on 10 points with Switzerland in European Group Two, one ahead of Israel. The two sides face each other again on Wednesday in Crete.
"This is a tight group and it is still wide open as both Israel and Greece must still play in Switzerland. Now we go out to Greece and must try achieve our aim and win," Israel coach Dror Kashtan told reporters.
Greece took the lead in the 42nd minute, silencing the local crowd when Fanis Gekas pounced on a rebounding shot to put the ball into the Israeli goal from close range.
Israel began the second half with more determination and got the equaliser in the 55th minute when Omer Golan slotted the ball into the Greek net after being put through by Yossi Benayoun.
The Liverpool midfielder, whose inclusion in the team was in doubt until the last minute due to a leg injury, was carried off in the 77th minute.
Aouate then saved from Gekas in injury time.
Greece's German coach, Otto Rehhagel said his players would have to increase the pace of their play in the return match in order to beat Israel and added that they could not dismiss their opponents.
"We must treat all our opponents with great respect, otherwise they will manage to surprise us and beat us," Rehagel who spoke in German, said through a translator.
