The Israel National Team will get back into action next Thursday when they visit Georgia for a friendly match in Tblisi. Despite the war with Iran continuing to rage on, Head Coach Ran Ben Shimon called up a squad of 23 players, some that have been plying their trade domestically and others from leagues abroad.

As the bench boss prepares his squad for play, he spoke about a number of issues, but first and foremost he talked about the situation in the country itself and how he and his family have been managing it.

“Like everyone, we go into the safe room and stay there until the missile attacks are over,” Ben Shimon began. “I try to look at the positives, there’s a lot of time with family but we still come to work every day in Shefayim where the national team headquarters are based. I’m very optimistic about the future. Things will work out and better times will come.”

The selection of players is a mix of both a mix of some who are playing aboard but also some who are part of the Israeli league and have not been able to play competitively for roughly a month.

“The players based here are not playing and when the Georgia game will take place next week it will already be a month without matches. But there are players who are part of this national team and they will be there. The complex situation puts a bit more emphasis on players abroad who are playing regularly, but there are players who are a really important part of this team, so we’ll have to be flexible.”

There are a number of players who are playing in leagues outside of Israel that didn’t get called up for reason or another including Manor Solomon and Muhammed Abu Fani, Ben Shimon explained.

“We’re in daily contact with the players and their coaches. I spoke with Lecce’s coach and for example he said Omri Gandelman is playing a lot and I understand that since they’re fighting relegation. But I insisted on including him and we agreed he would play part of the time. As for Abu Fani, it’s a personal matter, he asked to be released. Whenever we wanted him, he came, even when injured, so I chose to let him go.”

Neta Lavi has been playing in Japan and has been in fine form of late but also wasn’t called up, “We talked and there are several complications. He’s currently secured his place in the lineup, they’re in the Asian Champions League and he was concerned that if he came for these three days for one match, he could lose his spot. We need him in September too, so we jointly decided he wouldn’t come, because it could work against him. If he came, he would miss four club matches and the club even sent us an email saying they preferred he not come. I really wanted him and to his credit, he always wants to come. For one match, especially with a transatlantic flight, I preferred to give him up.”

“I also wanted Idan Toklomati and Liel Abada from Charlotte in the MLS, but I chose that players like Tai Baribo (DC United) and Dor Turgeman (New England Revolution) would play more right now. Bringing players for 10 minutes after a transatlantic flight is not that ideal. I have great appreciation for Abada and Toklomati, they’re playing well recently and look great. They’ll get their chance in the future. I spoke with them and told them they’ll be called up later on.”

The goal for the Israel National Team is to advance to the 2028 European Championships but there aren’t many matches to prepare as there is only one match now and not two and it’s unclear what will be in the next international window in June.

“You don’t understand how difficult it was to arrange this match,” Ben Shimon said. “There are huge complications, but we’ll do everything to be as prepared as possible. We have amazing players and even in this darkness, we can take positive things. We’ve visited players, held Zoom meetings. I appreciate every minute we get to play. Even this match against Georgia is not taken for granted.”

This happens to be a golden generation for Georgia and there is no doubt much to gain from this match, “We have tactical plans. The goal is to see how we deal with difficulty and complexity. We want to win every match we play. We’ll try to separate the noise around us and focus on football. Our players have done this heroically so far.”

There is also a mental aspect at play this time around due to the congoing war as players will need to leave their families behind in Israel while they heads to Georgia, “They’re the ones who give us strength,” Ben Shimon explained. “I’ve never seen such a desire to come to the national team, they really want to be together. There’s a personal cost for each of us, but we’re part of a very strong and unique people. I see it every day.”

Last window keeper Daniel Peretz wasn’t playing much but since his move to Southampton he’s been in terrific form and should play a big part in the national team program, “I’m so happy he’s playing, his soul needed that and the personal validation. It’s very good for us. I’m sure Omri Glazer will also start playing. I’m not worried about this position. It’s important that Daniel plays and if he’s doing well, that’s even better. Recently, he’s been excellent.”

Dan Bitton has been diagnosed with a viral infection that has effected his heart and will not have a chance to play this window, “I spoke with him and his soul was shaken. Not many things shake you like that. I believe, God willing, he will fully recover and return to playing. Only a player with such a big heart pushes himself so much, maybe it’s a sign from above to slow down a bit. What matters most to me is that he’s healthy, beyond football. He’s a dear and beloved person. From what I hear, everything will be fine and he’ll return to normal soon.”