Israel revels in quarterfinal conquest
After beating Brazil in spectacular fashion, blue-and-white U20 squad on to World Cup semis
The Israel Under-20 National Team stunned Brazil late Saturday night as the blue-and-white took a 3-2 win in extratime to advance to the semifinals of the World Cup being held in Argentina.
Dor Turgeman scored the winning goal with a fantastic individual effort in the area just prior to the end of the first half of overtime, while Anan Khalaili and Hamza Shibli also scored for Israel, which came back twice from deficits in the course of the game, both within a couple of minutes of conceding.
Ofir Haim’s squad will now play the winner of the USA and Uruguay quarterfinal match in the semifinals on Thursday and moved closer to sealing a berth in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I want to send my condolences to those who lost loved ones and this win is for the entire country,” Haim began following the game, referring to the IDF soldiers who were killed near the Egyptian border over the weekend.
“We were the better team and we deserved to win, but things always have to be tough for us after we missed both penalties [one after the other in extra time]. We were so mentally strong and the players believed in one another. We have so much talent and quality, but also a huge heart. Now, we want to go to the finals.”
Turgeman also spoke about the attack that took place on the Egyptian border before commenting on his game-winning tally..
“We had a very tough day in the State
of Israel and we want to dedicate this win to their families and to the entire country. We hope that this give them a bit of comfort. As for the goal, I did what I needed to do by scoring in that situation.”
Israel Football Association Chairman Moshe “Shino” Zuaretz also spoke about team’s win on a very difficult day for the nation.
“On such a sad day where we lost three soldiers who were protecting all of us, the Israel National Team played against Brazil in the semifinals. With tremendous fight, amazing talent, unity and leadership, the blue-and-white made us all proud once again as their tears were for what was gained and what was lost on this day. Israel is now in the semifinals and this isn’t a dream but reality!.”
Brazil and Israel had only played one other time in an official competition, which was back in 1976 at the Montreal Summer Olympic Games, when the blue-and-white fell to the Selecao 4-1 in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
After a pair of stunning victories thanks to late goals by Omer Senior and Anan Khallaili against Japan in the group
stage and Uzbekistan in the Round of 16, respectively, Haim’s squad looked for another miracle to advance to the semifinals.
The blue-and-white once again benefited from having fans in the stands in San Juan as the local Jewish community as well as Israelis who had made the trip to Argentina came out in droves. This has been an ongoing theme and advantage for Haim’s team due to FIFA pulling the tournament out of Indonesia at the 90th minute due to the county’s refusal to allow the Israeli team to enter.
Brazil had a pair of terrific chances to take an early lead in the opening minutes as Marcos Leonardo’s fifth-minute attempt was parried to safety by Israel ’keeper Tomer Tzarfati while the ensuing comer kick saw defender Douglas Mendes just miss the far corner with a header.
Israel’s first chance came in the 20th minute when Tai Abed found Stav Lemkin, but his header just missed the target, while 10 minutes later Marquinhos came up short with his opportunity as the game remained goalless at the halftime break.
However, the game didn’t remain scoreless for long as Leonardo sent a gorgeous left-footed strike into the top right corner of the goal to give Brazil a 1-0 lead in the 56th minute.
But Israel came right back just a few minutes later to draw even when Khalaili headed home the tying goal off an El Yam Kancepolski cross.
Turgeman almost found the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute but his scorcher was saved by an active Brazilian ’keeper Kaique as the match went to extra-time.
It didn’t take long for Brazil to retake the lead as Matheus Nascimento finished off a team play in the box just 20 seconds into the 30-minute overtime period.
But just as Israel did in the second half, it came right back to even the score. Hamza Shibli came in on the right side and put home an Ilay Feingold ball to draw even once again at 2-2.
Then came Turgeman, who cut inside and outside within the box and fired a left-foot screamer into the goal for a 3-2 lead just before the first portion of the extra time period came to an end.
Israel had a pair of chances to add an insurance goal via penalties in the second half of extra time, but Ilay Madmon’s spot kick was saved by the ’keeper and Ahmad Ibrahim’s penalty went wide.
However, Israel was able to hold off Brazil and record the sensational win.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Culture and Sport Miki Zohar spoke to the team’s coach together, telling him, “on a day of sadness, you brought joy and pride on a level that is difficult to describe. I watched every minute of the game. Israeli soccer has never had a day like this.”
And on Twitter Netanyahu wrote, “Our young team made history, bringing great pride to the State of Israel!”
“An amazing match from our teen soccer team - what a huge victory! You bring us much honor and pleasure with your wonderful team play and true fighting spirit!” tweeted President Isaac Herzog as soon as the match ended.
In the other quarterfinals, the US took on Uruguay on Sunday night and South Korea and Nigeria faced off, while Italy beat Colombia 3-1 on Saturday to seal their spot in the semis.