The youth team's celebrations after qualifying for the quarterfinals of the World Cup (courtesy of the Football Association)
1. Madness - This is the only way to define the feelings and atmosphere among the youth team after the dramatic victory tonight (between Tuesday and Wednesday) over Uzbekistan that brought Ofir Haim's team to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. For many minutes, the players and staff celebrated with the crowd that came to support the team, and the festivities did not stop in the dressing room with music and dancing.
"After qualifying for the final eight, we thought we had already experienced indescribable joy, I didn't know we could be happier than that. We made a great achievement and we deserve to celebrate for a few hours," said a player on the team.
After the game, all the players' families gathered at the hotel and held a joint dinner together with the team and players.
View the courtesy summary here
The team, of course, complimented Anan Halaili. The player, who showed excellent ability in the opening game against Colombia, was rarely involved in the following games, but scored the priceless winning goal.
"He probably didn't like the fact that he didn't get almost any minutes, but Anan continued to conduct himself professionally," the team complimented. "The magic of this team is that anyone – a player or a bench player – can become a hero of the game. Last time it was Roy Nawi and Omar Senior from the bench, this time Anan did it when he came on and assisted as a substitute."
The duo of Or Israelov and Stav Lemkin, as well as right-back Eili Feingold, received great compliments for their ability. There were quite a few scouts in the stands yesterday who followed the three and were very impressed. Dor Turgeman didn't register a big game, but once again he did his thing and extorted compliments. In the final minutes, the Maccabi Tel Aviv striker made two big moves, almost cooking for Hamza Shibli who missed in front of an empty goal and then sealed the move that led to the failure from which the victory goal was born.
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Composition player or bench player - anyone can become a hero. Halailly celebrates (Photo by Getty Images, Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images)
2. Much has been said about the character of the players, but the biggest credit so far in the tournament is reaped by coach Ofir Haim. The change of coach once again turned out to be bingo, and Haim receives compliments not only in Israel but from quite a few football people who are in the tournament. The Association and the national team made it clear that Haim also knows how to take advantage of the quality team that surrounds him and that this is tremendous teamwork that includes quite a few people. Itai Mordechai, the assistant coach alongside Haim who himself coaches the young team, is completely in sync with Haim and receives great compliments himself.
But not only Mordechai is considered a key figure in the team. Goalkeeping coach Guy Salomon, fitness coach Udi Ben-Simhon and analyst Noam Levy also receive praise. The person who received special compliments yesterday was stationary coach Eyal Gidron. The victory goal came from a drill they worked on in training. "There is a tremendous team here and in general a system that connected perfectly," said a team source, "Everyone deserves a good word because they are responsible for an achievement that has not yet existed in Israel."
It's not only in Israel that people pay attention to it. Ofir Haim celebrates with Khalili (Photo: Getty Images, Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Image)
3. The national team continues to dream. Tonight they will know who their opponent is in the quarter-finals, but it is clear to everyone that the chances of them not meeting Brazil are very slim. The Seleção is considered one of the biggest favourites to win the tournament, but despite this, the team refuses to give up in advance. "Obviously Brazil is a great team, but we will come to give a fight. We have our strengths and we will try to take advantage of them," the team declared.
The team was worried yesterday for a few minutes after Autumn Lemkin's leg swelled up heavily from a blow he sustained during the match, but it was initially believed that Lemkin could play in the quarterfinals. The fact that all the players who were in danger of being banned from the quarter-finals due to yellows avoided a card that would have caused them to be absent also made the team very happy. "In the end, our strength is that we are a united and very coordinated team. Brazil is a different opera, but we will try to amaze there too."
Today the team will train in Mendoza, and on Thursday will travel to San Juan, where the quarterfinals will be played on Saturday. The team hopes to return to Buenos Aires after the game for the semi-finals in La Plata.
- sport
- Israeli football
- Israeli national teams
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- Youth team
- Ofir Haim
