Israel visits Romania on Wednesday night in an international friendly it would have happily done without.
The match was originally supposed to be a warm-up game ahead of theWorld Cup, but with Israel failing miserably in its attempt to reachits first World Cup final in 40 years, it has turned into a trulymeaningless encounter.
Making matters even worse is the fact that Israel still has nopermanent replacement for outgoing coach Dror Kashtan, with theunder-19 Israel coach, Eli Ohana, being promoted for one match to manthe sideline.
“I’m the under-19 coach and only because of the situation whichdeveloped with Kashtan I was asked to guide the senior team,” Ohanasaid on Tuesday.
“After I complete this mission I will return tomy regular job. As for the future, I may one day guide the nationalteam again, but for the moment I’m only here for one match.”
Israel, which was placed in Group F of Euro2012 qualification with Croatia, Greece, Latvia, Georgia and Malta,will begin its campaign in September, but Bolton midfielder Tamir Cohenis hoping Wednesday’s match can help the side prepare for its firstqualifier.