Israel National Team Features Major Lineup Changes for Kosovo Match
Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Five changes are being made to Israel's starting lineup for the Kosovo match.
- Goalkeeper Asaf Tzur will make his national team debut.
- Winger Liel Abada returns to the starting lineup after 18 months.
- Eitan Azulay will start for the first time in his national team career.
- Tai Baribo also returns to the starting XI after recovering from injury.
The Israel national football team is set to implement significant changes in its starting lineup for Thursday's match against Kosovo, featuring five alterations from the previous game against Ireland. These adjustments signal a major shift in the team's composition.
Goalkeeper Asaf Tzur will start in place of Daniel Peretz due to rotation. Omri Glazer was initially slated to start but felt unwell, leading to Tzur's debut in the national team uniform. In defense, Idan Nachmias replaces Guy Mizrahi. While the formation remains a three-defender system, this lineup includes three natural center-backs. Nachmias will be making his 20th appearance for the national team.
Liel Abada, the winger who has recently regained form with Charlotte, will start and play the full flank. This marks his first start in a competitive match for Israel in about a year and a half. Eitan Azulay is also set for his first-ever start in the Israeli national team's lineup, coming in for Gabi Kaniovsky. Azulay had previously appeared as a substitute against Ireland, marking his national team debut in November 2024.
Tai Baribo, a prominent Israeli player in MLS, has recovered from an injury and returns to the starting lineup. He last started for Israel in March against Georgia and also featured in the final match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Baribo replaces Dor Turgeman in the lineup.
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