Israel’s hopes of salvaging something from its UEFA Nations League campaign took another hit on Saturday, as the blue-and-white were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Kosovo at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina.
With just one match remaining, Ran Ben Shimon’s team is still searching for its first victory of the campaign and faces an increasingly difficult battle to avoid the League B relegation playoffs.
What made the result particularly difficult to swallow was the opportunity it presented. Israel had a chance to take a major step toward securing its place in League B, especially after Kosovo was reduced to 10 men in the second half.
Instead, the blue-and-white failed to capitalize on its numerical advantage, settling for a single point in a match that felt much more like a defeat.
Ben Shimon's players certainly put in the effort, battling through a challenging evening in Pristina. However, once again, Israel struggled to turn its moments of promise into meaningful scoring opportunities, and the inability to find the breakthrough ultimately proved costly.
Kosovo controlled the tempo in first half
Kosovo looked the more dangerous side in the opening stages, controlling possession and putting Israel under pressure. Edon Zhegrova came close with a shot that narrowly missed the post, while Daniel Peretz later made an important save against Milot Rashica.
Israel gradually found its footing and began to threaten on the counterattack. Idan Toklomati helped lead one promising move before finding Oscar Gloukh, whose attempt forced a save from the Kosovo goalkeeper.
The Ajax midfielder also sent a free kick over the crossbar, while Kosovo came agonizingly close to taking the lead shortly before halftime when Lindrit Kamberi headed against the crossbar following a corner.
After the break, Israel tried to take greater control of the contest, with its best chance coming from a combination between Niv Yehoshua, Gloukh and Liel Abada.
Yehoshua sent a long ball toward Gloukh on the left, and the midfielder found Abada inside the penalty area. However, the winger’s first-time effort went straight to the goalkeeper.
Kosovo player sent off with second yellow card
The game appeared to swing in Israel’s favor when Veldin Hodza received his second yellow card and was sent off, leaving Kosovo with 10 players. With the numerical advantage and precious points on the line, the blue-and-white had an opportunity to finally break through. But despite pushing forward, Israel could not break through the Kosovo defense.
For Ben Shimon, the result was particularly frustrating given his players' commitment, although the coach pointed to difficult playing conditions and several unusual injuries as factors that complicated the evening.
“The national team showed hard work, heart and commitment. We defended extremely well, and in the second half we took a lot of risks,” Ben Shimon said after the match. “The conditions were not easy, but we did everything we could to win the game. If we had won 1-0, we would have been in a good position, but the playing conditions really made things difficult for us as well.”
“We really wanted to win this game. This is a fighting team that wants to succeed. We didn’t come here with a negative mindset. We did everything we could, but there were some unusual injuries that you don’t normally see in football. Some players were given their opportunity, and they took it in an incredible way.”
Dor Peretz acknowledged that Israel had let a valuable opportunity slip away, particularly after Kosovo was reduced to 10 players.
“We had a good opportunity to get back into contention at home, especially after they received a red card. It was a difficult and challenging game, but we could have taken the lead and won. We’re continuing on our path,” Peretz said.
The Israeli captain also pointed to the team’s overall commitment while conceding that it needed to do more in the attacking third.
“Kosovo are a great team, but we put in a very good performance and showed great commitment. I would have liked us to threaten their goal more, but we’re taking the positives from the game.”
Israel must defeat Austria to continue
Kosovo coach Franco Foda, meanwhile, was pleased with his team’s performance despite having to play the closing stages a man down.
“We started very well. We didn’t take our chances in the first half, and that affected our ability to come away with more than just one point,” Foda said. “In the first half, we played exactly the way we wanted to. In the second half, when you’re playing with one man down, things become more difficult. Nevertheless, we still had a few more opportunities. Overall, I’m pleased with the players’ commitment.”
The draw leaves Israel at the bottom of the group with just three points and facing a difficult task to avoid the League B relegation playoffs. The blue-and-white must defeat Austria in its final match and hope that other results go its way in order to overtake either Ireland or Kosovo. Goal difference could also play a decisive role in determining the final standings.
There was also a significant consequence for Israel beyond the Nations League campaign itself. The draw mathematically eliminated the team from contention for a top-two finish in its group, confirming that it will be placed in the third seeding pot for the UEFA Euro 2028 qualifying draw.
Israel will have one final opportunity to change the narrative when it faces Austria on Tuesday at 9:45 p.m. Israel time in Debrecen, Hungary. Kosovo will travel to Ireland for the other decisive Group B match, with both contests kicking off at the same time.
For Israel, the equation is straightforward, even if the task is anything but: win, hope for help elsewhere, and try to salvage something from a campaign that has delivered far more frustration than satisfaction so far.
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