Israel Midfielder Eliel Peretz Slams Team's Performance in Loss to Ireland

Israel's national football team suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Ireland in their Nations League campaign, failing to secure any points. Following the match, midfielder Eliel Peretz expressed his deep frustration with the team's performance, stating, "We weren't there and they punished us." He admitted the team did not start well, lacked aggression, and lost crucial battles, particularly in the first half, leading to two quick goals conceded by Ireland. Peretz vowed that the next encounter would yield a different result, promising, "I promise you that in the next game against them it won't be like this at all, and the result will be different."

Peretz described the loss as a significant disappointment, not just due to the scoreline but because the team failed to play with the necessary spirit and intensity. "We didn't bring enough, we didn't bring enough soul," he stated, emphasizing the need to quickly recover from the setback. He also addressed the alleged disrespect shown by Irish players towards the Israeli anthem, saying, "I didn't look at them, I sang our anthem, I was proud of our anthem, embarrassing people."

Looking ahead, Peretz acknowledged the need for introspection and correction of errors before their next match against Kosovo. He expressed confidence in the team's potential, stating, "There is an excellent team here, there are good players, there is a good staff, we will lift ourselves up." He anticipates a challenging game against Kosovo, highlighting their improved squad with players in top European leagues, but reiterated the team's determination to secure a win. "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," Peretz concluded.