Israel national under-21 football team
Israel's national Under-21 team (Hebrew: הנבחרת הצעירה של ישראל בכדורגל) is considered to be the feeder team for the Israel national football team. It has recently qualified for the European Championships to be held in the Netherlands after beating the French under-21 team 2–1 on aggregate.
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| Association | Israel Football Association | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Head coach |  | ||
| Captain | Neta Lavi | ||
| Most caps | Arik Benado (39)[1] | ||
| Top scorer | Alon Mizrahi (15)[2] | ||
| FIFA code | ISR | ||
| |||
| First international | |||
 (Greece; 1990) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
 (Israel) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
 (Israel)  (Israel; 2013) | |||
| UEFA U-21 Championship | |||
| Appearances | 2 (first in 2007) | ||
| Best result | Group Stage, 3rd Place | ||
This team consists of Israeli players aged 21 or under at the start of each two-year UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship campaign, so players can be, and often are, up to 23 years old. Team members may also simultaneously qualify to various teams for Under-20s (for non-UEFA tournaments), Under-19s and Under 17s, or even the senior national team, so long as the meet the respective age restriction. It is also possible to play for one country at youth level and another at senior level (provided the player is eligible).
The U-21 team has been constructed, following the Israel's acceptance as a full member of UEFA. A draw in a qualifier against Greece in Greece was Israel U-21s' first result.
Israel U-21s do not have a permanent home. They play in stadia dotted all around Israel in an attempt to encourage fans in all areas of the country to get behind Israel. Because of the lack of appeal compared to the senior national team, smaller grounds are used (such as HaMoshava Stadium).
Competition History
There is no Under-21 World Cup, although there is an Under-20 World Cup. European U-21 teams compete for the European Championship, with the finals every even-numbered year. It will be held in odd-numbered years from 2007. Israel has never fared well in European Under-21 Football Championships.
The current campaign started shortly after the 2006 finals - the qualification stage of the 2007 competition. UEFA have decided to shift the next tournament forward to avoid a clash with senior tournaments taking place in even-numbered years. The competition has therefore been reduced as qualifying must be completed in a year's less time. In their three-team qualification group, Israel finished ahead of Turkey and Wales. In the two-legged play-off against France for a place in the final stage, the team achieved a surprising 1–1 draw in France and won the home match 1–0, with Amir Taga scoring in stoppage time.
Note: The year of the tournament represents the year in which it ends.
Competitive Record
UEFA European Under-21 Championship Record
| Year | Round | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Qualifying Stage | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 3 |
 | Qualifying Stage | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 17 | 16 |
| Qualifying Stage | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 11 |
 | Qualifying Stage | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 9 |
 | Qualifying Stage | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 13 |
 | Qualifying Stage | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 13 |
 | Qualifying Stage | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 11 |
 | Qualifying Stage | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 7 |
 | Group Stage | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
 | Qualification Playoffs | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 5 |
 | Qualifying Stage | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 8 |
| Group Stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
 | Qualifying Stage | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 15 |
 | Qualifying Stage | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 21 | 4 |
 | TBA | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 2/14 | 88 | 39 | 18 | 34 | 146 | 106 |
Players
Top Appearances
| Rank | Player | Club(s) | Year(s) | U-21 Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arik Benado | Maccabi Haifa, Beitar Jerusalem | 1992–1995 | 39 |
| 2 | Nir Sivilia | Maccabi Tel Aviv, Bnei Yehuda, Beitar Jerusalem | 1993–1997 | 34 |
| 2 | Shay Holtzman | Maccabi Netanya, Maccabi Haifa, Tzafririm Holon | 1992–1995 | 34 |
| 3 | Dekel Keinan | Maccabi Haifa, Bnei Sakhnin, Maccabi Netanya | 2003–2007 | 30 |
| 4 | Alon Halfon | Maccabi Netanya, Hapoel Haifa | 1993–1995 | 29 |
| 4 | Tom Almadon | Maccabi Haifa | 2004–2007 | 29 |
| 5 | Ofer Talker | Ironi Ashdod, Hapoel Haifa | 1992–1995 | 28 |
| 6 | Ofir Kopel | Maccabi Haifa | 1994–1997 | 27 |
| 7 | Lior Jan | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 2006–2008 | 26 |
| 8 | Moshe Ohayon | F.C. Ashdod | 2001–2005 | 24 |
Note: Club(s) represents the permanent clubs during the player's time in the Under-21s.
Top Goalscorers
| Rank | Player | Club(s) | Year(s) | U-21 Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alon Mizrahi | Bnei Yehuda | 1992–1993 | 15 |
| 2 | Shay Holtzman | Maccabi Netanya, Maccabi Haifa, Tzafririm Holon | 1992–1995 | 14 |
| 3 | Moanes Dabour | Maccabi Tel Aviv, Grasshopper | 2011–2014 | 13 |
| 4 | Nir Sivilia | Maccabi Tel Aviv, Bnei Yehuda, Beitar Jerusalem | 1993–1997 | 12 |
| 5 | Ben Sahar | Chelsea, Espanyol | 2007–2010 | 8 |
| 5 | Maor Buzaglo | Maccabi Haifa, Hapoel Petah Tikva, Bnei Sakhnin, Maccabi Tel Aviv | 2007–2010 | 8 |
| 6 | Eli Abarbanel | Hapoel Petah Tikva | 1994–1999 | 7 |
| 6 | Amir Turgeman | Ironi Ashdod | 1992–1993 | 7 |
Note: Club(s) represents the permanent clubs during the player's time in the Under-21s.
2021 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2021 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification Group 6
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |
|
 |
 |
 |
 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 1 | +8 | 13 | Final tournament | — | 13 Oct | TBD | 3–0 | 2–0 | 8 Oct | |
| 2 | |
4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 8 | Final tournament if best runners-up (Play-offs otherwise) |
1–1 | — | 8 Sep | TBD | 0–0 | 3–1 | |
| 3 | |
5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 7[lower-alpha 1] | 0–1 | 1–2 | — | 8 Oct | 3 Sep | 13 Oct | ||
| 4 | |
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 6 | +4 | 7[lower-alpha 1] | 8 Sep | TBD | 1–1 | — | 13 Oct | 7–1 | ||
| 5 | |
6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | −3 | 4 | 0–2 | 8 Oct | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 3–0 | ||
| 6 | |
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 16 | −13 | 0 | TBD | 2 Sep | 1–3 | TBD | TBD | — |
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
- Tied on head-to-head points (1), goal difference (0), goals scored (1). Ranked on head-to-head away goals: Kazakhstan 1, North Macedonia 0.
Coaching staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | |
| Assistant Manager | |
| Assistant Manager | |
| Goalkeeper Coach | |
| Fitness Coach | |
Current squad
The following players were called up for the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Montenegro on 14 November 2019.
- Caps and goals as of 15 October 2019.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Assaf Tzur | 28 August 1998 | 7 | 0 | |
| 23 | GK | Daniel Peretz | 10 July 2000 | 0 | 0 | |
| GK | Netanel Daloya | 14 July 1998 | 0 | 0 | | |
| 2 | DF | Danny Gruper | 16 March 1999 | 3 | 0 | |
| 3 | DF | Omri Luzon | 7 January 1999 | 1 | 0 | |
| 5 | DF | Raz Shlomo | 13 August 1999 | 0 | 0 | |
| 12 | DF | Yahav Gurfinkel | 27 June 1998 | 7 | 0 | |
| 15 | DF | Ofri Arad | 11 September 1998 | 7 | 2 | |
| 21 | DF | Amit Cohen | 21 November 1998 | 5 | 0 | |
| DF | Noam Cohen | 6 January 1999 | 3 | 0 | | |
| DF | Gil Cohen | 8 November 2000 | 2 | 0 | | |
| 4 | MF | Hamoudi Kna'an | 14 January 2000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | MF | Samuel Broun | 3 March 1998 | 3 | 0 | |
| 7 | MF | Eden Karzev | 11 April 2000 | 6 | 0 | |
| 8 | MF | Mohammad Abu Fani | 27 April 1998 | 5 | 0 | |
| 11 | MF | Or Dasa | 20 September 1998 | 11 | 1 | |
| 14 | MF | Tomer Yosefi | 2 February 1999 | 5 | 1 | |
| 16 | MF | Omer Lakou | 7 February 1998 | 7 | 0 | |
| 22 | MF | Shay Elias | 25 February 1999 | 1 | 0 | |
| 9 | FW | Tai Baribo | 15 January 1998 | 6 | 2 | |
| 10 | FW | Eylon Almog | 8 January 1999 | 6 | 1 | |
| 19 | FW | Yoav Tomer | 17 January 1998 | 1 | 0 | |
| 20 | FW | Yonas Malede | 14 November 1999 | 3 | 1 | |
Recent callups
The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months:
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Haviv Ohayon | 17 August 1998 | 2 | 0 | |
v.  |
| GK | Omer Hanin | 17 August 1998 | 0 | 0 | |
v. |
| GK | Omer Katz | 21 April 1998 | 0 | 0 | |
v. |
| DF | Manamto Asefa | 19 November 1998 | 2 | 0 | |
v.  |
| DF | Yarin Peretz | 17 July 1998 | 2 | 0 | |
v. |
| DF | Fadi Najar | 30 May 1998 | 1 | 0 | |
v. |
| DF | Yonatan Levi | 2 January 1998 | 2 | 0 | |
v. |
| MF | Ilay Elmkies | 10 March 2000 | 1 | 0 | |
v. |
| MF | Ben Savir | 5 March 1998 | 4 | 0 | |
v. |
| MF | Shay Golan | 17 January 1998 | 3 | 0 | |
v. |
| FW | Manor Solomon | 24 July 1999 | 3 | 0 |  |
v. |
| FW | Osama Khalaila | 6 April 1998 | 3 | 0 | |
v. |
| FW | Ron Ashkenazi | 15 January 1998 | 3 | 0 | |
v. |
See also
- UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
- Israel national football team
References
External links
- Uefa Under-21 website Contains full results archive
- The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation Contains full record of U-21 Championship hosts and additional statistics, such as the Group Winners table for the 1998 qualifiers.
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