Fixed: Sports Events Recap Clip, May 30 (Sports5)
The Israel national under-20 team is one of the eight best teams in the world. It sounds fanciful, but about a year after only being stopped in the final of the European Under-19 Championship, tonight (between Tuesday and Wednesday) they beat Uzbekistan 0-1 to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Argentina.
No less amazing is that after beating Japan in the decisive game for qualification in the group stage from a goal in the 90+2 minute from the feet of Omar Senior, tonight Anan Halayla scored in the 90+7th minute, a minute before the end of eight minutes of extra time.
Coach Ofir Haim said: "I'm very proud of the guys. It was a very difficult game, like a cup final and it's very dangerous. We didn't play well enough and not smart enough, but we showed a lot of character and determination and believed we could win. We deserved to win and we did it with a lot of soul and heart. Everything in my life goes hard and I fight tooth and nail to achieve anything, I guess that's what God chose for me. Now I'm happy to the roof."
'I guess that's what God chose for me' (Photo by Getty Images, ANDRES LARROVERE/AFP)
What we learn about the Israeli footballer thanks to this team: "First of all believe in the Israeli footballer. We have an amazing team, a very special team. Now the situation is different because we have expectations and the players bravely met them. The loose ball at the end that led to the goal? We have an arsenal of drills and I don't know what they chose to do, but of course it was a drill we worked on."
On a possible meeting with Brazil (or Tunisia) in the quarterfinals: "Whoever comes is welcome. We will prepare well. We have another rest day, we will prepare ourselves well and we want to reach the semi-finals. I told you not to fall asleep and that it would be worth it. We will do everything to make everyone happy in the next game as well."
Goalscorer Anan Halayla added: "Very exciting. Thank you to all the people of Israel who stayed up until 2 a.m. to see us. I felt it was my day, I had a good feeling, I knew. It's a bunch of men, winners one by one. Anything is possible, even the quarterfinals. We're not suckers at all, just as good as any team in the tournament. All this pain is worth it."
- sport
- Israeli football
- Israeli national teams
Tags
- FIFA U-20 World Championship
