Cole had been adamant before the weekend that Israel would obtain a positive result against Russia and his faith was justified - even though it has meant him having to pay for a holiday for his Chelsea team-mate Ben-Haim.

He quipped: "I've got him a few brochures for Clacton-on-Sea. He'll have a great time! Seriously, I'm a man of my word. It started off as a joke, and he'll probably say I don't have to do that.

"But I'll send him and his wife somewhere nice. I'm sure we can cut a few corners!"