Israel's youth team stunned Europe when last year they were stopped only in the Euro final by England. Thanks to that achievement, they qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina for the first time in their history. And with all due respect to the long and impressive road she has made throughout the past year, the highlight came on Saturday, when a 1-2 victory over Japan in the final round of the group stage gave Israel a historic victory in the World Cup and of course the ticket to the eighth final match currently being held in Mendoza against Uzbekistan, the Asian youth champions.
Israel finished second in the group stage where it surrendered to Colombia, which finished third in the South American Championship, drew against Senegal, the African champions, and beat Japan thanks to a goal in the 90+2 minute that completed a turnaround and raised Ofir Haim and his players on the way to eighth. Uzbekistan is the Asian Youth Champion thanks to its win last March, which in the group stage of the World Cup lost to host Argentina, beat Guatemala and in the 90+3 minute squeezed New Zealand 2:2.
In contrast to the victory over Japan, coach Ofir Haim made two changes to the team's line-up when the goalscorers against Japan, Roy Nawi and Omar Senior, were first promoted to the lineup at the World Cup at the expense of El Yam Kanzpolsky and Ahmed Salman. Apart from that, no changes have been made, so in the center of the defense Or Israelov and Stav Lemkin continue together, in midfield Eli Madmon and Ariel Lugassi, and the attack is led by Thai Abed and Dor Turgeman.
Israel national team composition: Tomer Sarfati, Eili Feingold, Stav Lemkin, Or Israelov, Roy Revivo, Eli Madmon, Roy Nawi, Ariel Lugasi, Thai Abed, Omer Senior, Dor Turgeman.
Israel wants a ticket to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, no less. Turgeman (Photo by Getty Images, Eurasia Sport Images)
Gameplay
- sport
- Israeli football
- Israeli national teams
Tags
- Youth team
- FIFA U-20 World Championship