Zehavi returns to the international fold as Herzog names Israel squad for Albania and Northern Ireland clashes

Eran Zehavi was a notable call up by new Israel manager Andreas Herzog for their upcoming UEFA Nations League qualifier against Albania and friendly against Northern Ireland.

31-year-old Zahavi is a former national team captain, who has scored 55 goals in 66 games for Guangzhou R&F in the Chinese Super League.

He has not played for Israel since discarding the captain’s armband on the pitch after being substituted during a 1-0 defeat at home to Macedonia in September 2017.

He received a one-year ban from the Israel football association for his actions.

In a statement last week, however, Zahavai apologised and the 2017 Chinese League MVP and record holder for the most goals in one Israeli League season expressed his desire to resume his international career.

“My biggest dream from the moment I started playing soccer was to join the national side,” he said.

“I was privileged to be part of the team and to serve as its captain and there’s no greater honor.

“I made a mistake in my reaction during the game against Macedonia when, in a moment of great anger and frustration because of a few fans, I threw the captain’s armband and wronged thousands of fans who believe in the team.
“I love the team and was always proud to represent Israel and do everything to bring accomplishments and give the fans something to root for,” Zahavi said. “I return to the team with love and hope to march forward together.

Israel face Albania in Elbasan on Friday, September 7^th in Herzog's first competitive game in charge before facing Northern Ireland at Windsor Park in Belfast on Tuesday the 11^th.

Israel and Albania are no strangers to each other having being paired together in the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup.

Israel won 3-0 in the Albanian city of Elbasan in November 2016, however in June 2017 in Haifa Extartime,ie were present to witness an abject home performance where an inspired performance from Ledlan Memushaj saw the Albanians triumph 3-0.

The aforementioned Zehavi and Yossi Benayoun experienced the ire of the home crowd on a painful night for the national team.

A 1-0 win over Liechtenstein is the only win Israel have in their last eight games.

Qualifying for the 2018 World Cup was always deemed to be virtually impossible in a group containing Spain and Italy.

However it was the manner of the home defeats to Albania and Macedonia and the poor relationship between the team and its supporters that ultimately cost Elisha Levy his job and Herzog take over.
Herzog, with 26 goals and 103 caps, is the most capped player in Austria’s history.

The 49-year-old former Bayern Munich, Werder Bremen and Rapid Wien midfielder has served as an assistant coach to the Austrian and USA national sides, and this is his first full managerial appointment.

Bibras Natchko is the only survivor in the squad from Israel’s last visit to Belfast, which resulted in a 2-0 win in March 2013.

The 30-year-old Olympiacos midfielder, with 50 caps is now the most experienced player in the squad ,and will captain the side for these two games.

The former CSKA Moscow midfielder from Kafr Kama in northern Israel also happens to be the first non Jewish captain of the national side.

In a remarkable interview last March, Natchko, a devout Muslim, commented to local media on what it was like to captain the group,

"I don't know what each of them [players] is feeling, but it is obvious that history has been made.

“The glass ceiling has been broken, and I am certain that everyone who believes in peaceful coexistence of different cultures and religions is glad to see that, whether he is Jewish, Muslim, Christian or someone else.

“In the national team, we are a united group. We don't put emphasis on religious differences. My teammates congratulated me and wished me luck – and that was all.”

Not everyone in Israel was happy, however, because the midfielder doesn't sing Hatikvah, the national anthem that focuses on Jewish motifs.

Former West Ham and Celtic star Eyal Berkovic, a prominent TV and radio host, claimed that the national team captain must sing the anthem, and a person who refuses to do so isn't worthy of wearing the armband.

"Those people can't hurt me,” responded Natcho. “They are only making such claims in order to get some publicity and attention.

“It is unfortunate that they are trying to destroy our beautiful country, but we have to live with that. Everyone can say whatever they want. We don't have to listen.”

Of the 25 players named, 19 play with Ligat Ha’al clubs with Natcko at Olympiacos, Beram kayal and Tomer Hemed at Brighton (now on loan at QPR), Tawatha is with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Zehavi is based in China with Muanes Dabour and Alon Turgeman playing in the Austrain Bundesliga with Red Bull Salzburg and Austria Wien respectively.

Dabour has impressed at Salzburg and scored both their goals in their defeat to Red Star Belgrade during last week’s Champions League final qualification round.

There are five Maccabi Tel Aviv players in the squad with Dor Micha, Dor Peretz and center back Eitan Tibi having played against Dundalk in Tallaght in September 2016

Israel squad to face Albania and Northern Ireland:

Goalkeepers: Ariel Harush (Hapoel Beer Sheva), Guy Haimov (Maccabi Haifa), Danny Amos (Maccabi Netanya)

Defenders: Eitan Tibi (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Shir Tzedek (Hapoel Beer Sheva), Talab Tawatha (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ella Dasa (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Ben Bitton, Loai Taha, Sam Scheimann (all Hapoel Beer Sheva), Ayid Habshi (Macccabi Haifa), Nissan Kapiloto (Hapoel Haifa)

Midfielders: Dor Peretz, Dor Micha, Dan Glazer (all Maccabi Tel Aviv), Bibras Natchko (captain) (Olympiacos), Eran Zahavi (Guangzhou R&F), Maxim Plakushenko (Hapoel Haifa), Beram Kayal (Brighton)

Strikers: Tomer Hemed (QPR on loan from Brighton), Moanes Dabour( RB Salzburg), Alon Turgeman (Rapid Wien), Dia Saba (Maccabi Netanya), Manor Solomon (Maccabi Petak Tikwa)