Paris, July 24, 2024 — The Israel Under-23 soccer team kicked off their campaign in Group D of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with a resilient 1-1 draw against Mali on Wednesday night at the Parc des Princes.
Despite a promising start and a dramatic finish, the match ended in stalemate, setting the stage for an intense remainder of the group stage.
The encounter, which took place two days before the official opening ceremony of the Games, saw a strong turnout of Israeli and French Jewish supporters waving Israeli flags and making their presence felt in the stands.
The enthusiasm of the crowd was palpable, as Israeli national anthem, Hatikva, was played despite some efforts by parts of the crowd to drown it out with boos.
Match Highlights
After a goalless first half, the Israeli team broke the deadlock with a well-executed play involving starlet Oscar Gloukh.
The young talent made a dynamic run into the box, laying off a pass to Omri Gandelman. However, it was Mali’s Hamidou Diallo who inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, giving Israel a 1-0 lead in the 57th minute.
The advantage was short-lived, as Mali responded just five minutes later.
Cheickna Doumbia rose above the Israeli defense to head in an equalizer, beating goalkeeper Omer Niron and leveling the score at 1-1. Despite several opportunities to retake the lead, both teams were forced to settle for a draw.
Reactions from the Team
Following the match, Israeli head coach Guy Luzon reflected on the performance with mixed feelings. “We played against a very physical team, and it was not easy for us defensively,” Luzon said.
“Offensively, we created decent chances but should have been calmer in our finishing. Once we added more midfielders, it helped us score. I expect more from the team and from myself. There are no free meals and no honeymoon; you have to suffer to get points.”
Looking ahead to their next fixture against Paraguay, Luzon expressed his excitement. “This is the most exciting game of my life with all the Israeli flags and Jewish people supporting us. Paraguay is also a very physical team with good wing play. We collected a point in a subpar game, and we will continue to improve. We can do much more.”
Midfielder Oscar Gloukh also shared his thoughts on the draw. “Obviously, we are happy to leave with a point and not lose. We will come into the next game better prepared and with the intention to win. This game didn’t go exactly the way we wanted; Mali controlled the tempo, and we waited for chances to counterattack. The most positive part is that we stayed together.”
Team captain Omri Gandelman described the match as tough but expressed optimism for future games.
“It could have gone either way. We led 1-0 and couldn’t hold on to the lead. In the end, we played more defensively and took the draw. We tried to win from the start, but this point can be valuable. We will come into the next game with the goal of winning it.”
Team Analysis and Next Steps
Gandelman’s assessment highlighted the challenges faced during the match. “The game plan worked well initially, but defensively, we were a bit off and lethargic. We made corrections in the second half, and I believe we will perform better against Paraguay.”
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Osher Davida added, “It’s a bit of a miss because we could have won. This is not a bad result, as on paper, everyone thought we would lose. We showed we are at the same level as Mali. We knew they were a strong and fast team, and we managed to stay organized to avoid defeat.”
Ido Shahar, another Maccabi Tel Aviv player, shared his disappointment at conceding shortly after taking the lead. “We needed more concentration, especially in the minutes after the goal. If we hadn’t conceded, Mali would have started pressing more.”
Shachar, who also plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv, expressed confidence in the team’s abilities. “We have proven that we belong here. We may come from a small country and not be favorites in every game, but we are on equal footing with any team. We will approach every match with the belief that we can win.”
Looking Ahead
The draw against Mali places Israel in a pivotal position in Group D. With Japan having decisively beaten Paraguay 5-0 earlier, Israel’s upcoming match against Paraguay on Saturday will be crucial. A win could significantly improve their chances of advancing to the knockout stages.
As the team gears up for the next challenge, the blend of youthful talent and seasoned experience will be essential in navigating the competitive group stage and making a mark in the 2024 Paris Olympics.