Footballer Omer Atzili's Coach Backs Player's Criticism of National Team

Football player Omer Atzili posted a story on Tuesday supporting his teammate Yarden Shua, who returned to training with the Beitar Jerusalem team after receiving only 12 minutes of playing time across four matches during the recent international break. Atzili wrote, "May everyone tie your shoelaces for you." Mor Shaked, Atzili's personal coach, commented on the post in an interview, stating that Atzili was right to support a locker room friend. Shaked criticized the national team's performance, noting that despite Atzili playing only 12 minutes in four games, the team "doesn't look so good, to put it mildly." He added that the best players in the Israeli Premier League should be on the national team, alongside in-form legionnaires. Shaked believes Atzili, who he claims would score three goals in four games, would contribute significantly and be a "game-changer" for the team. He asserted that Atzili's numbers are comparable to those of Manor Solomon and Oscar Gloukh, who he feels are not delivering the required statistics for the national team. Shaked stated that Atzili would return to the national team "tomorrow morning" if called upon, emphasizing that representing the country, especially in current global times, is paramount. He urged the national team to overlook past issues concerning Atzili and call him up to make him feel wanted and be a leading player, advocating for a more attacking and creative style of play. Shaked concluded by saying that while the previous campaign under coach Ran Ben Shimon was enjoyable, the current team's performance, with only two wins in twelve games and a lack of shots on goal, is disappointing, and players like Shua should receive more playing time.