{"id":180245,"date":"2026-05-31T11:13:44","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T11:13:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsrabbi.com\/?p=180245"},"modified":"2026-05-31T11:16:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T11:16:58","slug":"israel-national-team-prepares-for-albania-friendly-this-is-another-test-before-the-nations-league-matches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsrabbi.com\/en\/israel-national-team-prepares-for-albania-friendly-this-is-another-test-before-the-nations-league-matches\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel National Team prepares for Albania friendly: “This is another test before the Nations League matches”"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Israel National Football Team is readying to head for a friendly matchup at Albania on Wednesday (21:00 Israel time) as the blue-and-white will fly out on Monday after a morning practice at the National Team training headquarters in Shefayim. On Sunday, members of the team began assembling at Shefayim including Daniel Peretz, Oscar Gloukh and Roy Revivo as some will meet up with the squad in Albania such as Manor Solomon and captain Eli Dasa.<\/p>\n

It is still unclear if Head Coach Ran Ben Shimon will be able to travel due to an accident that occurred a couple of weeks ago, but regardless, he has full confidence in his staff should be be unable to travel.<\/p>\n

“I went through a fairly serious injury. I’m recovering slowly but surely, and I received amazing treatment at Sheba Medical Center. I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life, but I’m improving day by day. I’ll know this evening whether I’ll be able to fly. I need to undergo tests, including a head CT scan. But whether I fly or not, I have great trust in my staff. We’ve matured a bit and understand that the world doesn’t revolve around us. I don’t want to be a burden on those around me, and I don’t want people focusing on me. The national team is more important than any of us, so I’ll make the best decision today after consulting with the doctors and the heads of the association.”
\n

\"\"

Credit: Israel Football Association<\/p><\/div>
\nAs for how the national team is approaching the upcoming match and the Nations League campaign, the bench boss added, “I don’t know the meaning of the word ‘friendly’, I’m not their friend. In every match, we see both the obligation and the privilege of working on the things we want to develop ahead of the Nations League. We have many goals we want to achieve, and we’re determining the key areas that will help the national team succeed. This is another test before the Nations League matches in September.”<\/p>\n

There were many players who were excited to be a part of the squad despite having played such a long season which pleased Ben Shimon, “It’s amazing because I can’t remember a summer national-team camp where everyone was calling us saying they wanted to come. There was incredible commitment from the players, including those who played 50 matches this season. The commitment was total. The only two or three players who didn’t come were released by me. It has truly been an amazing show of dedication, and it fills us with tremendous pride.”<\/p>\n

Ireland has made their feelings clear about having to play against Israel but the head coach didn\u2019t even want to address the situation concerning one of their Nations League foes, “I took this job during a war. We made a decision that we would focus on sport. We try to bring light to dark places. I want to prepare the national team in the best possible professional way, and any other distraction would drain our energy. I want to stay focused on the professional side and try to beat any team that stands in front of us, regardless of who the opponent is.”
\n

\"\"

Credit: Israel Football Association<\/p><\/div>
\nHapoel Beer Sheva midfielder Eliel Peretz also spoke about being a part of the National Team for the upcoming friendly, “There’s no doubt it’s a privilege to come here, represent the national team and wear these colors, to do something positive during such a complicated period. Have I had time to process the season? A lot happened. In the end, there were celebrations and we were very happy. The cup final put a bit of a damper on things, but we had an amazing and exciting season that ended with a championship, and I’m very happy about that. Now our focus is on the national team. We’ve recovered and are preparing for the upcoming match.”<\/p>\n

Peretz extrapolated on what it means to be committed to the national team, “You feel committed simply because you’ve been called up to the national team. Over the past two years, we’ve created an amazing atmosphere here, and we enjoy every call-up and every training camp. We want to be as prepared as possible for the Nations League.”<\/p>\n

The head coach may not travel with the team but Peretz is not concerned should he be absent, “Of course we want him to be with us, and we wish him a full recovery. He’s the conductor, but there’s also a staff here that knows exactly what it wants and what the expectations are. If he comes, we’ll be happy. If not, the staff will know how to prepare us in the best possible way, no less than Ran would.”<\/p>\n

As for the goals for the upcoming campaign, Peretz went straight to the point, “To advance to the next stage, to finish in one of the top two places.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Israel National Football Team is readying to head for a friendly matchup at Albania on Wednesday (21:00 Israel time) as the blue-and-white will fly out on Monday after a morning practice at the National Team training headquarters in Shefayim. 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