Israel Coach Ben Shimon Sees Himself as Team's Energy Source Ahead of Kosovo Match

Ahead of Thursday's crucial match against Kosovo, Israeli national football team coach Ran Ben Shimon addressed criticism following the team's 3-0 loss to Ireland, stating he believes the team can get back on track. Ben Shimon emphasized his role as the team's "energy source" and stressed the importance of players remaining loyal to each other and avoiding blame.

"As long as the criticism is objective, clean, and respectful, it's perfectly fine. I am my own biggest critic," Ben Shimon said in an interview with Channel Sport's envoy in Debrecen. He added, "When the players stay loyal to each other and don't blame, there is no culture of blame and no looking for culprits. Everyone knows what they did wrong." He expressed a strong desire to win the upcoming match, calling it "very important."

Discussing Kosovo's star player Vedat Muriqi, who was reportedly sold for 15 million euros in Turkey this summer, Ben Shimon described him as a "very high-level player" and an "excellent striker." He highlighted the importance of defensive density, stating, "The best defense is density, and everyone participates in it."

Reflecting on the Ireland game, Ben Shimon acknowledged potential mistakes in the lineup and substitutions, admitting, "It's possible we made mistakes in the lineup and substitutions." He noted that while the team had 70% possession in the second half after trailing 3-0, they were "very exposed in certain situations."

Regarding player selection, Ben Shimon stated that "every player can play in the lineup" in this team, citing player fatigue and varying form as factors. He also mentioned efforts to reintegrate player Seid Abu Farchi, expressing a desire for all players to be consistently available and effective.