Israel coach Eli Gutman announced his 24-man squad for the blue-and-white’s upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
By ALLON SINAIISRAEL COACH Eli Gutman 370(photo credit: Adi Avishai)
Israel coach Eli Gutman announced his 24-man squad for the blue-and-white’s upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers on Sunday, handing Maharan Radi his first call up while bringing Gal Alberman back to the fold after nearly two years out.Eran Zahavi, Biram Kiyal and Rami Gershon are all missing from the squad for the qualifiers at Azerbaijan on Friday and against Russia next Tuesday due to injuries, with Gal Shish and Yoav Ziv being called up to fight for the starting role at left-back vacated by Gershon.“We are opening the campaign brimming with confidence,” said Gutman, who will hold a press conference to explain his decisions on Monday.“I have full faith in the players I called up.”Goalkeepers: Dudu Aouate (RCD Mallorca), Danny Amos (Ironi Kiryat Shmona), Ariel Harush (Betar Jerusalem).Defenders: Tal Ben-Haim (out of contract), Elad Gabai, Shir Tzedek (Ironi Kiryat Shmona), Yuval Spungin (Omonia Nicosia), Dan Mori (Vitesse Arnhem), Eitan Tibi, Yoav Ziv (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Gal Shish (Waasland-Beveren).Midfielders: Yossi Benayoun (West Ham United), Lior Rafaelov (Club Brugge), Almog Cohen (Nuremburg), Bibras Natcho (Rubin Kazan), Maor Melikson (Wisla Krakow), Gili Vermut (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Maharan Radi, Gal Alberman (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Hen Ezra (Maccabi Haifa).Forwards: Omer Damari (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Tomer Hemed (RCD Mallorca), Ben Sahar (Hertha Berlin), Itay Shechter (Swansea City)
