Israel coach Dror Kashtan on Saturday announced his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Moldova.
By JEREMY LASTbarak Itzhaki 224.88(photo credit: AP)
Israel coach Dror Kashtan on Saturday announced his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Moldova, with Betar Jerusalem's Barak Itzhaki the most notable absentee.
Itzhaki, who moved back to Jerusalem in the summer following six months at Belgian side KRC Genk, was left off the roster for the friendly defeat at Finland earlier this month but had been expected to return.
Portsmouth striker Ben Sahar retains his place after a good showing in Finland while Standard Liege midfielder Salim Toama, who played the last 20 minutes of his team's Champions League qualifier loss to Liverpool on Wednesday, was also included.
There is still uncertainty as to who Kashtan will start in goal, with Maccabi Haifa's Nir Davidovitch a possibility as Dudu Awat is out of favor at Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna but has yet to find a new club.
Betar Jerusalem right back Shmuel Kozikin played against Finland and was included again but will likely start on the bench.
Borussia Monchengladbach pair Roberto Colautti and Gal Alberman are back in the squad and will be riding on the momentum of an impressive 3-2 win over Werder Bremen in the German Bundesliga on Saturday. Colautti stayed on the subs bench but Alberman was in the starting 11 and played 75 minutes before being substituted.
Israel plays Switzerland at Ramat Gan next Saturday night and Moldova away from home the following Wednesday.
The campaign for a place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa continues in October with away games at Luxembourg and Latvia.
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