Israel Captain Dor Peretz Urges Irish Players to Visit, Read About Israel

Israel national football team captain Dor Peretz addressed challenging questions from Irish journalists ahead of their upcoming match, urging them to better understand the complexities of Israel.

"I don't think foreigners can understand what is happening in Israel," Peretz stated during a press conference on Saturday. "If they really want to understand what is happening in Israel, they need to read more, visit Israel to see the country, and then they can judge." He acknowledged that the team's focus is on football and representing Israel, and expressed willingness to shake hands with the opposing team, regardless of their response.

Peretz recognized that discussions often extend beyond football but emphasized the team's mission to succeed in their sport. He credited coach Ran and the staff for keeping the team focused on the game. "We are concentrating on our mission, which is to do something important in our sport," he said.

Reflecting on past games, Peretz highlighted the importance of conceding fewer goals and improving offensive creativity. "The more we create, the more we can score. On the other hand, we need to keep a clean sheet, that will help us," he explained. He also described the Irish team as aggressive with long balls, contrasting them with Israel's lower, more technical players.

Peretz stressed the significance of the upcoming match, especially after losing points in the first game. "As long as we arrive focused and concentrate on football, we can do it," he concluded, emphasizing the need to stay grounded and prepared.