JERUSALEM, June 18  - Ghana have gained lots of new fans in Israel after defender John Paintsil waved the Israeli flag to celebrate the West Africans' stunning World Cup Group E win over the Czech Republic on Saturday.

Paintsil, who plays for Hapoel Tel Aviv, won friends in the Jewish state both among Israelis and among the immigrant community of Ghanaian workers, many of whom live in an impoverished part of Israel's commercial capital.

"I'm happy and I'm pleased to have made you all happy as well," the gregarious Paintsil told Israel's sports Web site ONE in an interview after Ghana's 2-0 win.

"I love the supporters in Israel so I decided to take out the flag. I have played for Hapoel and Maccabi Tel Aviv and the supporters there always made me happy so I wanted to repay them," the report, published in Hebrew, said.

FIFA spokesman Markus Siegler said FIFA had no problem with Pantsil's action.

"Its like the mask incident last week when Ivan Kaviedes scored for Ecuador against Costa Rica and pulled a mask over his face to celebrate. Let's not get too petty about this. I think it's fine."

Israeli soccer pundits said Hapoel were looking to axe Paintsil from their lineup for next season but the club might now want to reconsider.

News Web site YNet said Hapoel had issued a statement thanking Paintsil.

"The club is proud of its player John Paintsil, who raised the blue and white flag at the World Cup and in so doing expressed the warm ties between himself, his club and the country," Hapoel's statement read.

YNet added that Israel's Sports Minister, Ofir Pines-Paz was also quick to recognise Paintsil's gesture.

"We have an Israeli at the World Cup. John Paintsil's gesture has warmed our hearts and many Israelis have now become supporters of Ghana," he was quoted as saying.