Israel Women's Soccer Team Coach Aims to Restore Confidence 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 tournament, the team is preparing for the second leg, scheduled for Tuesday. 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 promise, and the team aims to replicate that performance for longer durations in the upcoming match 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 situation, being in this playoff stage for the first time and learning as they go. However, he stressed that the team is providing the players with confidence by reminding them of their equal footing with the opponents during the first half. "We saw good things from 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 with the final score, stating it did not reflect the actual play on the field. She expressed the team's forward-looking attitude 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.