In one of the biggest achievements ever for Israeli soccer, the national squad scored a major comeback in stoppage time — one player down after a team member was sent off — to beat Japan 2-1 in the Under-20 World Cup on Saturday, snatching a ticket for the tournament’s last 16, where Uzbekistan awaits.
After a heartbreaking, last-minute defeat to Colombia in the first game and a lukewarm draw against Senegal in the second, the match was a direct battle for second place in Group C, with Israel having to win in order to advance.
Japan opened well at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas and had a few chance in the opening, and Isa Sakamoto eventually scored a header in the first half’s stoppage time.
Matters became worse for Israel when Ran Binyamin received his second yellow card after committing a foul and was sent off on the 68th minute, leaving the team with only 10 players versus Japan’s 11.
But somehow, playing one team member down only did good for Israel, with Aharon Roy Nawi Nabi managing to net a close header in the aftermath of a free kick in the 76th.
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A tie still wouldn’t be enough, though, and Israel’s pressure bore fruit during the first of seven minutes of stoppage time, with several magical passes and a goal by Omer Senior that completed the comeback.
Histórico deja afuera a Japón en minuto 92 y con un jugador menos. Su primer mundial y clasifica en Mendoza Argentina #Sub20 #Israel @fifacom_es @fifaworldcup_es #FIFA @Israel @IsraelArgentina pic.twitter.com/i74o4tM131
— ITON GADOL es Israel y las comunidades judias (@Itongadol) May 27, 2023
After Colombia drew their final game against Senegal, the final Group C standings have Colombia in first place with seven points, Israel second with four, Japan third with three and Senegal last with two. Only the first two teams advance to the knockout stage.
“This was a heroic win, the greatest match in the history of Israeli soccer,” said coach Ofir Haim, in tears. “This is for all of Israel, I dedicate this to you. I have no words, the players have a big heart and soul. People talked about our physical stamina, [but] from the 65th minute we were with 10 players and they were all over the field.”
חג המים במנדוסה pic.twitter.com/27MLtHwkab
— כאן (@kann) May 27, 2023
Israel will next play on Wednesday against Uzbekistan, which finished second in Group A, for a place in the quarterfinal, in its first-ever appearance in the Under-20 World Cup. Israel has only ever reached one World Cup — the main, open-age tournament in 1970.
Argentina took Indonesia’s spot in the tournament as host and participant. Protests in Muslim-majority Indonesia against hosting Israel forced FIFA into a very late switch of venues.
