Israel national team coach Willy Rotensteiner still does not know if he will continue in his position when the World Cup qualifying campaign ends.
Second place at home would have guaranteed him the contract extension, third place will lead to litigation by the heads of the Football Association regarding the continuation of the road with the Austrian, while fourth place will finally finish his way.
Sources in the association have already clarified that "despite the improvement, in the end the results will decide Rotensteiner's future".
The coach himself tried to explain the fall in the second half, which led, once again, to a goal absorption in extra time and a painful loss to Scotland (2: 3).
"We wanted to win, as always, but when you see the whole game, Scotland had more situations," Rotensteiner said, "if there were only 92 minutes then it would have ended differently. You could have seen the team fight until the final whistle."
The coach added: "It was difficult. The decision to place Abu 'Abid and Arad was a good one. The first half was good, but in the second half they pressed us more and more and more."
Photo: Udi Citation,
On the fact that Israel again suffered a decisive goal from a stationary position despite hours of video conferences, he said: "We defended very well against the stationary situations and outside shots from the side, but when you get tired then the mistakes come and that's what happened at the end of the game. "We deserve 2: 2. We have good ability, also progress, but in the 92nd minute you have to know how to take it. The different thing between the teams was that as the game progressed, Scotland raised the level and intensity and we lowered it."
On the question of whether the problem is in the mentality of the players: "There are wonderful players here with a professional attitude, the pressure is getting bigger and bigger so we could not hold the ball, move or do anything. The crowd pushed them on the other hand, and the mistakes not only professionally but mentally. I say we lost on the physical side of the game to Scotland. "
Asked if it is possible to stop believing that Israel will ever reach a big tournament, the Austrian said: "I know you, you will never stop believing."
Despite everything, do not stop believing.
Photo: AFP,
