Israel hosted its first home match in the new UEFA Nations League campaign against Slovakia.
This match was completely different from what an international game should look like.
It's a weird experience to attend a football match these days. The few journalists and team members allowed to enter the stadium had to wear masks, large banners covered the empty seats, and loud music during the warm-up covered for the absent fans. The whole situation was like a friendly match in disguise.
A year ago, Israel played against North Macedonia in Be’er Sheva. More than 15,000 fans attended the match that would mark the fall of the Israeli national team in the late stages of the Euro 2020 qualifiers. A win, a draw, and three defeats in the last five matches led Israel to one of its worst-ever campaigns since it was admitted to UEFA in the '90s. The team is trying to recover from the surprising managerial change after Andreas Herzog left. Willi Ruttensteiner, the new Israeli national team manager, led the team to a 1-1 draw in his first match against Scotland.
Cover on the stands, masks on the face, an awkward situation (Photo: Yossi Medina)
In that match, Munas Dabbur missed a chance to score the first in the 42nd minute. Two minutes later, Scotland was awarded a penalty kick and finished the first half with a 1-0 lead. Tonight, it happened much earlier. Israel pressed and had a few chances in the first 10 minutes, but in the 14th minute, Michal Ďuriš scored the Slovaks' first after the Israeli defence lost the ball in their own half, inviting a lethal counter-attack.
The Slovaks didn't take control despite Israel losing confidence in face of the early goal. Israel tried to keep and use the attacking approach but missed the target time after time. Although Eran Zahavi is the best Israeli player on the field, the key player was Manor Solomon, who dribbled perfectly and passed accurately time after time.
Just before the additional time started, Israel finally found the net. A short pass from Yonatan Cohen to Ilay Elmkies, and Hoffenheim's 20-year-old midfielder equalized the score. Israel had four minutes to take the lead back but found the Slovak defensive line standing strong. In the last chance, Manor Solomon made another great dribble, passed it to Zahavi who shook the post from 20 meters out.
Both Israel and Slovakia can feel disappointed in that match. Slovakia missed the opportunity to win for the first time, while Israel failed to convert its dominance. Both teams will have to focus on their remaining matches in the UEFA Nations League, but their next mission will be and the Euro 2020 playoffs. Israel will play another away game against Scotland, and Slovakia will host Ireland.
If Israel wants to make any progress in their next matches, they had better work on keeping their form and focus throughout the full 90 minutes. Too much confusion and not enough confidence might cost them the Euro 2020 spot they’ve been dreaming of for so many years.
Photo via Israel Football Association.
