Israel Women's Soccer Team Aims to Recover After World Cup Playoff Loss

Israel's women's national soccer team suffered a significant 7-3 defeat against Switzerland in the first leg of their World Cup playoff match. Despite the loss, which effectively ended their realistic chances of qualifying for the World Cup, the team is preparing for the second leg to be held tomorrow. Coach Menachem Koretzky stated that while the team had limited time for practice, they focused on individual talks, video analysis, and team meetings to address shortcomings in the second half of the previous game. He emphasized that the first half showed a strong performance, and the goal for the upcoming match is to replicate that level of play for longer periods to achieve a better result.

Koretzky acknowledged the difficulty of lifting the players' spirits after such a heavy loss, noting that it affects the entire delegation. He highlighted that the team is in a new and challenging position, being in a playoff for the first time and still learning. However, he stressed that the team is instilling confidence in the players by reminding them of their equal footing with Switzerland during the first half. "We saw good things in the game," Koretzky said, "and we added to their confidence so they can move on to the second game and really achieve the result we need."

Player Zohar Cohen echoed the sentiment of disappointment, stating that the scoreline did not reflect the actual play on the field. She expressed the team's forward-looking approach and desire for a better outcome in the next match. Cohen anticipates a more aggressive, daring, and unified performance, citing the strong human material within the team, a blend of experienced and young players, and a collective aspiration for progress. "We hope to start a new path," she added.