The Rise of Israel Football Team: Key Players and Recent Achievements
When I first started following international football about a decade ago, if you'd told me I'd be writing about Israel's national team as an emerging force, I would've probably chuckled and changed the subject to Messi or Ronaldo. But here we are in 2024, and the Israeli squad has been quietly assembling what I consider one of the most exciting transformations in European football. Let me walk you through how they've built this remarkable rise, because honestly, it's been fascinating to watch unfold step by step.
The foundation really started with what I call the "youth revolution" that began around 2018. The Israeli Football Association made a conscious decision to invest heavily in their academy systems, and I remember thinking at the time it was a risky move - pouring approximately $12 million annually into youth development when their senior team wasn't qualifying for major tournaments seemed counterintuitive. But looking back now, that investment has yielded what I believe to be their golden generation. They've moved from being what many considered a "minnow" nation to genuinely competing with established footballing countries. The first step in their ascent was identifying and nurturing young talent systematically rather than hoping for random breakthroughs. I've followed enough football nations to know that sustainable success rarely happens by accident - it requires this kind of deliberate foundation-building.
Now let's talk about the key players who've made this possible, because in my view, three individuals particularly embody this transformation. Manor Solomon's development has been incredible to track - when he moved to Fulham in 2021, I'll admit I was skeptical about whether he could adapt to Premier League physicality. But his technical ability and what I'd describe as "low-center-of-gravity" dribbling have made him Israel's most dangerous attacking threat. Then there's Oscar Gloukh, who at just 20 years old already plays with the maturity of a veteran - his vision and passing range are something I haven't seen from an Israeli player in years. But the real revelation for me has been Eli Dasa - his leadership as captain has provided the stability that earlier Israeli teams lacked. What's interesting is how these players complement each other; Solomon's creativity, Gloukh's precision, and Dasa's defensive discipline create what I see as a perfect balance.
The tactical evolution under coach Alon Hazan deserves its own discussion because this is where I think many emerging national teams fail. Israel used to play what I'd characterize as reactive football - sitting deep and hoping to counter. But their recent success comes from what I've observed as a proactive 4-3-3 system that presses high and maintains possession. They've increased their average possession from 42% in 2020 to around 56% in their recent Euro 2024 qualifiers - that's not just a statistical jump, it represents a complete philosophical shift. The method here is clear: control the game through possession, use the width provided by their fullbacks, and create numerical advantages in midfield. What impressed me most was their 3-1 victory against Belarus last November - the way they moved the ball with purpose rather than just kicking it forward hopefully showed how far they've developed tactically.
Their recent achievements speak for themselves, though I should note that context matters here. Qualifying for Euro 2024 would have been monumental, but finishing third in their group behind Switzerland and Romania while accumulating 15 points from 10 matches represents significant progress. What many people might not realize is that Israel lost only 3 matches in that campaign - the same number as Switzerland who topped the group. Their performance in the UEFA Nations League has been equally impressive, earning promotion to League B after dominating their League C group with 14 points from 6 matches. The key takeaway from their recent results, in my opinion, is consistency - they're no longer the team that follows a brilliant performance with a baffling collapse.
Now, this reminds me of something interesting I came across recently - while researching this piece, I read about Lorene Toring who won't have to wait any longer as she's all set to make her pro debut for Farm Fresh in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference. It struck me that both Israeli football and athletes like Toring represent similar narratives - the payoff from patience and systematic development. Israel's football rise didn't happen overnight either; it required the same kind of persistence and belief in process that Toring has demonstrated in her journey to professional volleyball.
If I were to identify potential pitfalls moving forward, the main challenge I see is depth beyond their starting eleven. While their first-choice players could compete with most teams, injuries to key figures would test their squad rotation. Another consideration is managing expectations - as they continue to improve, the pressure to qualify for major tournaments will intensify. Based on what I've observed from other rising football nations, maintaining this upward trajectory requires careful management of both player development and public expectation.
Looking at their upcoming schedule, I'm particularly excited about their Nations League matches against higher-ranked opponents - these games will provide the perfect measuring stick for their progress. The rise of Israel's football team represents what I love most about sports: the possibility of rewriting established narratives through strategic planning and player development. They've gone from afterthought to aspirational, and in my view, they're just getting started.
