Israel Draws With Ireland, Players Reflect on Performance and Spirit

The Israeli national football team concluded its recent international window with a 1-1 draw against Ireland on Sunday, following a strong performance by the team coached by Ran Ben Shimon. Midfielder Eliel Peretz, one of the standout players, spoke about the challenges of playing four games in a short period and praised the efforts of the professional and medical staff in preparing the team. He noted the team's improved commitment and aggression compared to previous matches, acknowledging that mental focus and conceding easy goals had been issues in the past.

Peretz expressed pride in the team's effort, stating that while a 2 out of 12 points record from four games is not sufficient, the gap in performance from the previous match was narrowed. He described the "trash talk" with the Irish players as typical of matches between them, characterizing the opponents as "small people." The team aimed to remain focused on the game rather than engaging in such exchanges.

Defender Eyal Feingold also commented on the team's improved performance, highlighting the learning from past games and the fight from the first minute. He acknowledged conceding a "silly goal" but was proud of the players' maximum effort, lamenting the missed opportunity for more goals and potentially three points. Feingold also addressed a past misunderstanding with the football association regarding the youth team, which he stated has been resolved, and emphasized his commitment to proving his reliability to coach Ben Shimon.

Both players touched upon the emotional significance of playing on October 7th, a sensitive date for Israel, and the desire to win on such a day. They discussed the intensity of playing four games in 12 days, being away from family, and the need to secure six points from the remaining two matches against Kosovo and Austria. The team also dealt with a virus that affected some players, but Peretz affirmed that the summoned players were prepared and ready to contribute.