The Israel National Team is readying for Nations League action coming up this weekend when the blue-and-white will play Belgium and Italy with both games taking place in Hungary due to the security situation in the Holy Land. Head Coach Ran Ben Shimon’s side will open up the campaign with a road game at the Nagyerdei Stadionin in Debrecen, Hungary while Israel’s home game versus Italy will be played at the Bozsik Aréna in Budapest due to the ongoing war with Hamas.

As Israel continues preparations in Hungary, striker Tai Baribo spoke about the upcoming pair of matches as he has been starring in North America’s MLS with the Philadelphia Union.
This is perhaps the best period of my career,” Baribo began. “I want to continue this way both with the national team and in MLS, just keep going like this. I don’t know if things just suddenly came together for me, I feel that I was always mentally ready but I just didn’t play. I always worked hard and waited for my opportunity and once I got it, I grabbed it with both hands.”

Baribo played a factor in helping Israel move up to League A in the Nations League and they will now have to face some of the toughest teams not only in Europe but in the world. “It’s not that bad and it will be an experience. The draw is difficult, but if you want to continue to improve, you have to play against the best teams in the world.”

“Whoever is afraid then they are not in the right profession,” Baribo continued. “It doesn’t matter if you are an athlete or a painter. If you are scared to face the challenge then you are simply not in the right place. Of course, we are going to play some of the top teams in the world, but those who don’t believe in themselves and are afraid should sit down and examine themselves. There is no fear here, there is a challenge and there is an experience.”

Baribo spoke about how the team has been preparing for the likes of Belgium and Italy, “We are focusing on both ourselves and the opponent, as always. We are preparing for the opponent and we know Belgium, Italy and France as well as anyone. We are also focused on ourselves. Under Ran Ben Shimon we are playing a new type of system and we will want to show what that in the upcoming games.”

The striker also spoke about the team’s composition, “The combination of players in the squad here is a beautiful thing. There is Manor Solomon who came from England, Liel Abada and I arrived from the USA. There are players from Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa and Oskar Gloukh is here from Red Bull Salzburg. Everyone is coming together who are currently playing different styles and that’s what’s beautiful about the team. This is something that happens all over the world with other national teams. We need to adjust ourselves to each other and learn and connect together.”

Baribo offered his final thoughts about how critical it is for the team to be together, “I want to and expect to win every game. It is true that it will be difficult, but you want to come and give 100 percent and at the end of the game look in the mirror and say I did the best that I could. The most important thing is to all be together, play together and not blame anyone.”