Israel Midfielder Eliel Peretz Slams Team's Poor Performance, Irish Antics

Israel's national football team suffered a disappointing 3-0 loss to Ireland in a Nations League match, leaving midfielder Eliel Peretz expressing deep frustration with the team's performance. Peretz admitted the team "weren't there" during the game, failing to win tackles and conceding two quick goals early on, which he described as a harsh lesson.

"We didn't start the game well, we weren't there in the first half, we didn't win battles, we weren't aggressive," Peretz stated, adding that Ireland came prepared and capitalized on Israel's shortcomings. He promised a different outcome in the next encounter against Ireland, vowing, "I promise you that in the next game against them it won't be like this at all, and the result will be different."

Reflecting on the team's overall effort, Peretz lamented the lack of "soul" and intensity, emphasizing that while losing is acceptable, failing to compete is not. He called for a swift recovery, stating, "We have to pull ourselves together very quickly."

When asked about Irish players allegedly disrespecting the Israeli national anthem, Peretz stated he did not watch them, as he was focused on singing his own anthem with pride. He called the actions of the Irish players "embarrassing."

Looking ahead, Peretz acknowledged the upcoming match against Kosovo will be difficult, especially given Israel's current losing streak and Kosovo's improved squad featuring players in top European leagues. He stressed the importance of preparation and determination to secure points, concluding, "We need to prepare for it at the highest level, understand the importance of this game, and ultimately come and take the points by any means."