Israel national under-21 football team
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Association | Israel Football Association | ||
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Head coach | ![]() | ||
Captain | Ofri Arad | ||
Most caps | Arik Benado (39)[1] | ||
Top scorer | Alon Mizrahi (15)[2] | ||
FIFA code | ISR | ||
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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 |
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.
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[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Israel_line-up_against_Norway.jpg/250px-Israel_line-up_against_Norway.jpg)
Year | Round | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA |
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Qualifying Stage | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 3 |
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Qualifying Stage | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 17 | 16 |
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Qualifying Stage | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 11 |
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Qualifying Stage | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 9 |
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Qualifying Stage | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 13 |
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Qualifying Stage | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 13 |
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Qualifying Stage | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 11 |
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Qualifying Stage | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 7 |
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Group Stage | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 9 |
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Qualification Playoffs | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 5 |
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Qualifying Stage | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 8 |
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Group Stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
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Qualifying Stage | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 15 |
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Qualifying Stage | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 21 | 4 |
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Qualifying Stage | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 18 |
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Qualifying Stage | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 14 |
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Qualification in progress | ||||||
Total | 2/15 | 110 | 47 | 25 | 41 | 177 | 139 |
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 | Mu'nas Dabbur | 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.
UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship[]
2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification[]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ![]() |
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1 | ![]() |
10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 1 | +19 | 28 | Final tournament | — | 3–0 | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | |
2 | ![]() |
10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 12 | +8 | 18 | 0–1 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 7–1 | 2–1 | ||
3 | ![]() |
10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 14 | −2 | 13 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 1–2 | 3–1 | 0–0 | ||
4 | ![]() |
10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 21 | −9 | 10 | 0–1 | 1–4 | 1–2 | — | 2–3 | 0–4 | ||
5 | ![]() |
10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 11 | 25 | −14 | 9 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 1–0 | ||
6 | ![]() |
10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 11 | 13 | −2 | 7 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 3–0 | — |
2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification[]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ![]() |
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1 | ![]() |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 8 | +13 | 15 | Final tournament | — | 3–2 | 0–4 | 3 Jun | 25 Mar | 4–0 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 6 | +9 | 15 | Play-offs | 29 Mar | — | 24 Mar | 3–0 | 2–1 | 7 Jun | |
3 | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 4 | +13 | 13 | 7 Jun | 1–2 | — | 29 Mar | 5–0 | 3–0 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 12 | −3 | 7 | 1–5 | 1–2 | 2–2 | — | 1–0 | 24 Mar | ||
5 | ![]() |
6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 13 | −9 | 3 | 1–3 | 2 Jun | 0–2 | 7 Jun | — | 2–0 | ||
6 | ![]() |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 23 | −23 | 0 | 0–6 | 0–4 | 2 Jun | 0–4 | 29 Mar | — |
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated
Coaching staff[]
Position | Name |
---|---|
Manager | ![]() |
Assistant Manager | ![]() |
Assistant Manager | ![]() |
Goalkeeper Coach | ![]() |
Fitness Coach | ![]() |
Current squad[]
The following players were called up for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches against Germany on 7 September & Latvia on 12 October 2021.[1]
- Caps and goals as of 13 October 2021.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | 17 April 2001 | 2 | 0 | ![]() | ||
GK | 7 July 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | ||
GK | 25 June 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | ||
DF | Gil Cohen | 8 November 2000 | 10 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Or Blorian | 7 March 2000 | 9 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Doron Leidner | 26 April 2002 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | 31 October 2000 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | ||
DF | Zohar Zasno | 21 November 2001 | 2 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | 9 August 2000 | 1 | 0 | ![]() | ||
DF | 30 May 2000 | 1 | 0 | ![]() | ||
DF | 19 January 2000 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | ||
MF | 20 August 2001 | 7 | 1 | ![]() | ||
MF | 18 February 2001 | 6 | 0 | ![]() | ||
MF | 16 May 2000 | 4 | 2 | ![]() | ||
MF | Maor Levi | 18 June 2000 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | 10 May 2000 | 3 | 0 | ![]() | ||
MF | Mohammed Kna'an | 14 January 2000 | 2 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | 29 January 2000 | 2 | 0 | ![]() | ||
MF | 26 May 2002 | 2 | 0 | ![]() | ||
MF | 30 May 2000 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | ||
MF | Aviel Zargari | 11 December 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | 6 October 2002 | 3 | 1 | ![]() | ||
FW | 29 May 2001 | 4 | 1 | ![]() | ||
FW | 16 January 2001 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
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 | Daniel Peretz | 10 July 2000 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | 2 August 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() | |
MF | 10 March 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() | |
MF | Eden Karzev | 11 April 2000 | 13 | 2 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Ilay Elmkies | 10 March 2000 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Roey Ben Shimon | 4 December 2000 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Liel Abada | 3 October 2001 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Hisham Layous | 13 November 2000 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Suf Podgoreanu | 20 January 2002 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | 6 March 2000 | 1 | 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.
- European national under-21 association football teams
- National youth sports teams of Israel
- Youth football in Israel