Rotensteiner: "A terrible time, we all want to do something historic" Israel today

National coach ahead of Scotland's semi-final play-off for promotion to the Euros: "We can not change the situation with the Corona. Everyone here wants to do something for the country" • Natcho: "The most important event in recent years"

• Willy Rotensteiner.

  Excitement in the air

  Photography: 

  Football Association

In 24 hours, the Israeli team will face (Thursday, 21:45) against Scotland in the playoff semi-finals for promotion to the Euros.

Even before the concluding training session, national coach Willy Rotensteiner along with captain Beavers Natcho held the press conference, during which they made it clear that the Corona would not be an excuse for defeat or failure.

"This is a terrible time, but we can not change the situation with the Corona," the Austrian coach began. "We want to do something for Israel. All the players are very motivated. We have a good team, and I always focus on what I have, not what I don't have." .

"The players have a lot of motivation to do something maybe historic. I hope we can defeat the Corona as soon as possible. The Corona hurts all the teams and teams equally. My focus is on the players we have. We will think about what we can do in the game and not the situation. We want to do something. "For the country. Everyone supports each other during this period, it gives strength and motivation and it's great to see everyone together."

The national coach added: "We analyzed the opponent and the things we need to do. We will try to do better. True, we lost once here, we drew once and this time I hope it will be different. That is our goal now. I hope everyone will give their best to "To achieve the goal. I am pleased with the players and what they have done in recent games. We have 23 players on the roster, each of whom can start tomorrow."

Captain Beavers Natcho added ahead of the game: "This is one of the most important if not the most important games in the last few years of the Israeli national team. Of course there is also the Corona issue, but it is a fact that has hurt both teams.

On the players who stayed at home because of the Corona's constraints: "Dor Peretz and a few other players are not here with us, I wish it would not have happened but it is a fact. We will have to deal with it. Health is the most important thing. "Eyal Golsa personally and has known him for many years. Maybe it will be one of those beautiful stories, of an actor who comes after a long absence."

"The teams are more or less at the same level, they have a home advantage even though there is no crowd, but it is still an advantage. They have a lot of players missing, but there will be a game with pressure and other players from the previous games. It can not be compared to other games."