Hemed hits the ground running
FOOTBALL ISRAEL striker Tomer Hemed made a dream debut for QPR - scoring the first-half winner to lift the Superhoops off the bottom of the Championship following a 1-0 victory over Wigan.
Hemed, 31, who joined on a seasonlong loan from Brighton two days earlier, hooked home a 35th minute corner to inspire QPR to their first win of the season.
“It was the perfect start to score the winner on my debut,” enthused Hemed. “That’s the kind of thing you dream about and thank god it happened.
“We’ve got a long season ahead of us but the team is not thinking that far ahead. We’re thinking from game to game and want to collect as many points as possible.”
Hemed was brought to the club by QPR manager Steve McClaren and he believes he can help the team improve.
“This is a young and good team with a lot of talented players and they see me as someone that can contribute from my experience and set an example for the young boys,” said Hemed. “That made it even more important for me to begin well with a goal and a win.”
Hemed, however, has not given up hope of making his mark at Brighton in the future. “It’s important for me to have a good season and aim as high as I can. Although I’m at QPR on loan, I’ve extended my contract at Brighton and we’ll see what happens when I return there at the end of the season.”
NEWLY appointed Israel manager Andi Herzog has named a 25-man squad for the forthcoming matches against Albania and North Ireland.
Israel will open their Uefa National League campaign away to Albania next Friday followed by a friendly in Belfast four days later.
Herzog has recalled former captain Eran Zahavi. The Guangzhou midfielder was suspended for 12 months for throwing his captain’s armband at the crowd who booed the team during the 3-0 home defeat to Albania in a World Cup qualifier last November.
Zahavi has now withdrawn a subsequent decision to retire from international football and apologised for his behaviour and had his suspension shortened. Herzog has yet to decide if Zahavi will be handed the captaincy or it will remain with Bibras Natkho who has yet to make his first appearance for Olympiacos since moving from CSKA Moscow.
Herzog has also called up a number of young uncapped players including Manor Solomon of Hapoel Petah Tikva and Diya Saba of Maccabi Netanya.