Israel Football Coach Faces Player Meeting After Heavy Loss

Following a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Ireland, the Israeli national football team is preparing for its upcoming Nations League campaign. The team will host Kosovo in Hungary on Thursday, aiming to secure crucial points. Coach Ran Ben Shimon analyzed the loss with his players, emphasizing the team's potential and the need to avoid such collapses. He stated, "It cannot be that we fall apart like this. There is a good and strong team here that has no chance of falling apart like this. We now have two games where we must get points."

Ben Shimon has the full backing of the professional committee, led by chairman Shino Zuarz and his deputy Moran Mairay. The committee is focused on the team's work plans and is not interfering with lineup decisions. However, Zuarz unusually addressed the players directly, acknowledging their role in the team's performance. "I am sure you understand what we all felt yesterday," Zuarz said. "Ran Ben Shimon is taking all the fire and harsh criticism, but each and every one of you also has a part."

Zuarz urged the players to improve their approach, stating, "If we don't advance in our approach, we will be in trouble." He expressed his belief in the players' capabilities, having known many of them for years. "It cannot be that from the first minute they dismantled us and we didn't respond," he added. Zuarz stressed that external factors, including media and events in Israel, should be disregarded, and he expects the team to regain its honor.