Israel National Football Team Faces Defensive Shortage Ahead of Nations League

The Israeli national football team is grappling with a significant shortage of available central defenders for their upcoming Nations League matches. The team's coaching staff contacted Miguel Vítor, captain of Hapoel Be'er Sheva, to assess his availability. However, Vítor indicated that bureaucratic matters in Portugal would likely prevent him from joining the squad.

The defensive crisis stems from the unavailability of several key players, including Or Bilorian, Itay Rotman, and Stav Lasky. The team hopes Lasky will recover in time for the final two matches against Ireland, as he is undergoing treatment to be ready for games in Debrecen and Serbia.

Additionally, following an injury to Jardan Cohen, either Doron Leidner or Noam Ben Harush will be called up to provide backup for Roy Revivo. Meanwhile, Liel Abada, who recently sustained a leg injury playing for Charlotte, has informed the national team's medical staff that it was a minor issue and he is fit to play. Abada is expected to return to the national team.

During a visit to the United States, head coach Ran Ben Shimon and his assistant Gal Cohen gained further insight into the American league, its excellent facilities, and the strong support for Israeli players competing there.