Israel’s week turned into a nightmare after two defeats and a 2-0 down at the half time against Slovakia.
Once again, it was Eran Zahavi to lead the team to a win with a hat-trick.
The Israeli lineup before the match, a complicate week for the players (Photo: Eitan Dotan, Israel Football Association)
This specific international break was supposed to be one of Israel's greatest moments in years, with a serious chance to qualify for a first-ever Euro tournament. It started disappointingly with the elimination against Scotland at the Euro playoffs and turned in to a real disaster the defeat against the Czech Republic on Sunday. The away match in Slovakia almost didn't get any attention from the Israeli fans. If the atmosphere wasn't bad enough, Israeli media kept pushing and asking whether Willi Ruttensteiner, the Austrian caretake manager, should and will continue as a permanent.
Surprisingly, with all these problems on their back, Israel started the match well with a few chances.
Manor Solomon performed his dribbling skills, but he hit the post just like in the previous game against the Czechs. Munas Dabbur also tried to find the net but failed and missed a few opportunities. Israel was more dominant and less accurate in their chances.
The goalkeeper, Ofir Marciano, was the most criticized player against the Czech Republic. His mistake led to the first goal on Sunday, as well he didn't stop a single shot in the penalty shootouts against Scotland. The question that was asked is he good enough to be the first goalkeeper of the national team? In the first half, he gave two more reasons for his critics to keep asking. In the 16th minute, Marek Hamšík took a free-kick, and the ball was rolling under Marciano's hands into the goal. In the 38th minute, Róbert Mak scored the second.
It was 2-0 for the Slovak hosts in half-time, and things looked bad for the only Middle Eastern team in UEFA Nations League.
Marek Hamšík and Róbert Mak led Slovakia to a half time lead (Photo: Eitan Dotan, Israel Football Association)
During halftime, it has been revealed that Zahavi and Dabbur were fighting on their way to the dressing room.
Apparently, this was exactly what Israel needed. A little wake-up call.
In the second half, they finally found their balance and their hero for tonight.
Once again, it was Eran Zahavi. The new PSV Eindhoven striker has scored twice in the 68th and the 76th minute, through a great header and the second with a poach with his left, after a good positioning in the box. From that moment, Israel pushed more and more, tried to score, while the Slovaks were confused and lost balls.
That was the moment for Eran Zahavi to strike again. With a beautiful shot from long range in the 89th minute, Zahavi scored his third, this time with his right foot, and Israel completed a comeback to a 3-2 win. A perfect hat-trick and a perfect comeback.
Zahavi has a tremendous scoring record in the last two years, with 18 goals in 19 matches. Tonight he scored his third hat-trick within 18 months. Moreover, he is now ranked in joint 2nd place of all-time top scorers ranking with 24 goals alongside Yehoshua Feigenbaum and Yossi Benayoun.
The future of the Israeli national team is still in doubt. Without a permanent manager, with a squad-based on players that are 30 years or older, it seems that the national team level is decreasing. While they are at it, at least fans can trust Eran Zahavi that will create magical football moments, when its the least expected.
Eran Zahavi and the national team, the dominant player in the national team (Photo: Eitan Dotan, Israel Football Association)
