The Israel National Team faces the Czech Republic in Nations League action on Sunday (21:45) at the Doosan Arena in Plzen. The Blue & White are in Nations League B Group 2 and are currently in 3rd place with 5 points behind Scotland (10p) and the Czech Republic (6p) and will need to record a pair of favorable results in their final two group games in order to remain in the B League.

Head Coach Willi Ruttensteiner will have to do without Monas Dabbur who was diagnosed with COVID-19 ahead of the Norway match last week which was canceled at the last moment and is expected to play with Eran Zahavi as the lone striker with Manor Solomon playing behind him. In addition, Ofir Marciano is slated to start in goal after a couple of shaky appearances last month. Other players who should feature are Eli Dasa, Sheran Yeini, Eitan Tibi, Eyal Golasa, Dor Peretz and captain Bibras Natcho.

“We have a very good squad and they are in good shape so I am very optimistic,” explained Ruttensteiner at the prematch press conference. “We are looking to take points but we also know that we are facing a strong opponent. This is a big challenge and I hope that we will continue to improve.”

Captain Bibras Natcho also looked ahead to the match, “There is no question that the Czechs have the most quality in the group. We had a lot of problems in the first 30 minutes of the last match against them but once we settled down we were able to play well. Hopefully that will continue this match as well.”