Israel National Team head coach Ran Ben Shimon held a press conference Thursday ahead of a busy international window that will see Israel play four matches in 17 days, as he discussed his squad selection, the team’s goals, Dia Saba’s omission, the challenges of playing abroad and several other issues.

Ben Shimon acknowledged the physical and personal demands facing his players, particularly with the Jewish holidays falling during the window.

“It’s not the first time we’ve had four games in 17 days. It’s not easy. It’s not just a team journey, but also a personal journey. Some players have events and personal commitments. Yom Kippur is very important to all of us. Spending it at a hotel in Austria isn’t easy, but it was necessary.”

The national team has also made arrangements to ensure the players can observe the holidays while abroad, “We have a rabbinical committee with the national team and they made sure we observe Yom Kippur according to Jewish law. A rabbi will travel with us, we’ll have a proper pre-fast meal and we’ll also have a sukkah for Sukkot. We take care of everyone. The Israel national team is a melting pot of Israeli society.”

Ben Shimon said Israel’s objective in the Nations League is to challenge for the top two places in the group, while also highlighting the competition’s importance as a pathway toward the European Championship.

“Not everyone knows exactly what the Nations League is, but it’s a very important competition. Through it, you can reach the Euros or, at the very least, earn a better seeding position for the draw. We’ve already stated our goal: We want to be results-oriented. I want to think that we’ll be competitive enough to finish in one of the top two places. That’s what we’re aiming for, and that’s what we demand from the players as well.”

With four matches compressed into just over two weeks, managing the squad’s energy will be crucial, “We prepared a report on every player, looking at the condition he arrives in and his fitness level,” Ben Shimon explained. “Maintaining energy over 17 days is difficult. We’ll have a short break in the middle to allow the players to decompress. We know how much players who are under a lot of pressure need some time off from time to time.”

Ben Shimon also highlighted the tactical flexibility available to him, particularly with players capable of operating in different systems, “With three center-backs, we have excellent options on the flanks. Liel Abada and Sayed Abu Farhi can play there. In a back four, we have Roy Revivo, Guy Mizrahi and Ilay Feingold. There are many considerations when selecting players.”

One of the biggest talking points was the omission of Dia Saba. Ben Shimon stressed that the former Maccabi Haifa attacker remains in his plans but said the decision was made after discussions with the player.

“I’m in constant contact with Dia Saba. From a sporting perspective, he has a place in the national team. I understand the complexity. If a player has to think about whether a national team call-up will affect his future, that’s less than ideal. So, after a joint discussion, we decided that it wasn’t right at this time. The door is open to every player. We have the right and the responsibility to call up the best players for the national team.”

Anan Khalaili, meanwhile, has been included following his move to English football, with Ben Shimon expecting him to primarily operate in attack, “Anan Khalaili plays on the right wing and we’ll use him according to what we need. I’ll use every player in any position in which he can help us. Khalaili will mainly play in attack.”

Eighteen-year-old Noam Sztejfman received his first senior call-up, with Ben Shimon viewing the young defender as an investment in the future.

“Noam Sztejfman is a youngster who gives us reason to look to the future with optimism. I’m happy about his call-up. We held many discussions with all the center-backs we could have selected. Once we named the squad, we decided this was the best squad.”

Feingold also returned after previously being left out of the national team setup, “Ilay Feingold paid the price for not coming to the national team at the time and he deserves to be called up this time. He is highly regarded at his club. I really appreciate his character, which is why he was selected.”

Ben Shimon also discussed the challenges facing Israel’s MLS-based players, who must travel across the Atlantic and adjust to the time difference, “The time difference between the United States and Europe is difficult. Everyone handles it differently. We’ll deal with it when the time comes.”

The coach recently visited the United States and came away impressed with the growth of MLS and the Israeli players and coaches working there, “The visit to the United States opened our eyes to aspects of MLS that we didn’t know about. It was important for us to understand where our large Israeli contingent there is heading. The league is making tremendous progress, the coaching staffs are filled with people of a very high level and the training is also at a very high level.”

Israel will once again be without home-field advantage, “Throughout this entire period, I’ve made sure not to use the lack of home-field advantage as an excuse, but I really miss the atmosphere that the Israel national team has.”

He also refused to concern himself with absences from Israel’s opponents, including Marcel Sabitzer’s omission from Austria’s squad, “Every national team has its absences. We have our own missing players as well. When we start focusing on what’s happening with other national teams, it weakens us. Kosovo will come with its strongest lineup, and Ireland will as well. We need to focus on our own national team. We have the ability to beat any opponent in this group. There will be difficult games and a major challenge for the Israel national team.”

Eli Dasa was another notable selection, despite currently being without a club. Ben Shimon pointed to the veteran right-back’s experience and performances with the national team as key factors, “Our past experience tells us that Eli Dasa knows how to raise his level in national team games. He’s training at a very high intensity. His call-up is based on sporting considerations, but we all know the added value and everything he can bring to the national team.”

Ben Shimon also confirmed that personal commitments would be accommodated, with Gabi Kanichowsky set to arrive late due to his brother’s wedding and Eitan Azulay missing part of the preparations because of his own wedding.

“I support our players. Gabi Kanichowsky will arrive late because of his brother’s wedding, and Eitan Azoulay is getting married himself. The tendency should always be to put family above everything else.”

The coach has yet to decide who will start in goal with a trio of keepers all competing for the position, “We have three outstanding goalkeepers, including Asaf Tzur, and certainly Omri Glazer and Daniel Peretz. As for the lineups, every game is a separate matter. I haven’t told them yet who will start.”

Ultimately, however, Ben Shimon said Israel must focus on its own performances rather than external factors and while he continues to miss the atmosphere of playing in Israel, he believes the national team could develop a strong bond with its supporters when it eventually returns home.

“I will be very focused on making the best professional preparations possible. We need to beat our opponents on the field. I’m sure that if we were playing in Israel, the fans would really connect with the national team. We have an amazing society. Everyone, with all their complexities, really wants to be here, including those who aren’t with us. The fans could have really connected with the team.”

Full fixture list
Austria – Israel (Sept. 24, Thursday, 21:45)
Israel – Ireland (Sept. 27, Sunday, 21:45)
Israel – Kosovo (Oct. 1, Thursday, 21:45)
Ireland – Israel (Oct. 4, Sunday, 21:45)
Kosovo – Israel (Nov. 14, Saturday, 16:00)
Israel – Austria (Nov. 17, Tuesday, 21:45)

The team that finishes first will be promoted to League A, the team that finishes last will be relegated to League C, the team that finishes second will play in a promotion playoff for League A, and the team that finishes third will play a relegation playoff for League C.