Israel Midfielder Abu Fani to Undergo MRI Ahead of Nations League Opener

Israel national team midfielder Moanes Abu Fani will undergo an MRI scan in Austria on Thursday to diagnose a groin muscle injury. Abu Fani left Wednesday's training session complaining of pain and is unlikely to play in the team's UEFA Nations League opener against Austria later that night. The scan results, expected later Thursday, will determine if he can remain with the squad for the upcoming matches or needs to be released.

Israel faces a demanding schedule with three more games following the Austria match: Ireland on Sunday, Kosovo next Thursday, and a return match against Ireland in Serbia the following Sunday. The team is already facing midfield challenges, with Omri Gandelman also sidelined due to injury. Coach Ran Ben Shimon currently has limited options, with only Yarin Levi available as a backup for Eliel Peretz and Dor Peretz.

To bolster the midfield, Gabi Kanyevsky and Eitan Azulay are expected to join the squad in the coming days. Kanyevsky is scheduled to arrive on Friday, having received permission to miss Thursday's game due to his brother's wedding. Azulay will join on Sunday after his own wedding on Saturday night and a "Shabbat Chatan" celebration on Saturday.