Injury forces Katan to step down from national team

The Maccabi Haifa forward has been one of the Premier League’s best players over the past decade, but never really realized his potential on the team.

By ALLON SINAI
yaniv katan 311 (photo credit: AP)
yaniv katan 311
(photo credit: AP)
Yaniv Katan announced on Wednesday that he is retiring from the Israel national team at the age of 29 due to a back injury.
The Maccabi Haifa forward has been one of the Premier League’s best players over the past decade, but never really realized his potential on the national team, making just 31 appearances since his debut in June 2000, scoring only five goals.
“After serving the national team for many years I am forced to announcemy retirement,” Katan wrote in a statement. “This was a difficultdecision, but I eventually came to the conclusion that this is theright move for my health and for the team.”
Katan, who was out of the Israel side for two years after clashing withcoach Dror Kashtan in September 2007, explained that he can’t afford toplay for both his club and Israel due to an ongoing back problem.
“It is no secret that I have a problem with my back,” he said. “Themany matches I played this past season have deteriorated my physicalcondition and I could suffer irreversible damage if I continue thisway. Therefore I have come to the conclusion that I can not give my allfor both my club and the national team.”