Israel’s dream summer continues after the U19’s finished in third place of U19’s World Cup, the Under 21’s advanced to the European Championship Semi Finals where the face the winner between England and Portugal.
Daniel Peretz was the star man of the penalty shoot-out in Tbilisi, against the hosts Georgia, as the Maccabi custodian who saved one of the penalties from Giorgi Gagua, before tipping the deciding spot kick onto the post to book Israel’s place in the Semi Finals.
Peretz, who will celebrate his 23rd birthday could miss Wednesday’s Semi Finals in Batumi against the winner between England and Portugal after picking his second booking of the tournament. Knowing that should England advance, Israel could find themselves in next summer’s Olympic Games, something Israel hasn’t done since Montreal 1976 Olympics – Peretz remains hopeful.
Peretz whose penalty heroics in the Playoff against the Republic of Ireland booked Israel’s place in the final tournament were mirrored as saved 2 spot kicks from Germany in the group stages. Speaking at the end of the match to Kan 11 TV cameras, Peretz said: “I am still struggling to digest. Wow, I still feel shivers down my spine and would like to that god for allowing us to enjoy these moments. I am so proud of this team and my teammates at how they gave their guts and souls for 120 minutes plus at such a tough ground and in front of around 40,000 home supporters. We are all so united and believe so much in our ability – I can’t even describe how much fun that is to be part of this amazing achievement. I am so emotional right now and feel immense pride at the belief installed in us by our coach Guy Luzon. I am just lost for words”.
When asked to explain his feelings during the shoot-out as the majority of the 44,338 fans supported the hosts Georgia, Peretz was adamant as he added: “I didn’t even feel them. I was so much focused in my own zone that it was just me, the player (Gagua) and the ball. I had a feeling that this is the side he will shoot to, dived to my right and saved the ball. We are now in the Semi Finals and on the brink of reaching the Olympic Games as I always believed right from. We managed to get everyone here to believe that this could be possible. We keep proving time after time that when we believe the sky is the limit and I think this is a strong message to the entire nation and entire world. We have an amazing group of players, so brave, so united and so hard working which is what defines us and makes us so special”.
While Peretz will miss the next match as he serves a one-match touchline ban, Roy Revivo who served his suspension against the Georgians will now be back in contention. Maccabi’s striker Dor Turgeman, who played for 112 minutes before being replaced, could have opened the score early on. Turgeman picked the ball just inside Georgia’s half in the 5th minute, carved the hosts’ defense open and raced into the box but with only the keeper to beat sliced his shot wide. Omri Gandelman who scored Israel’s late winner against the Czech Republic, came close to score once again but from close range and with a goal at his mercy somehow managed to hit the post.
No goals were scored during regular time or 30 minutes of extra time before both sides lined up for a sudden death penalty shoot-out.
Irakli Azarov beat Peretz with the first spot kick before Israel’s captain Gil Cohen levelled the score. Zuriko Davitashvili made it 2-1 and Gandelman restored parity. Giorgi Gagua’s penalty was saved by Peretz and Anan Khalaili gave Israel the lead for the first time. Giorgi Moistsrapishvili blasted his shot down the middle to make it 3-3 and Oscar Gloukh kept his calm and slotted his shot that beat Giorgi Mamardashvili to give Israel a 4-3 lead. Saba Khvadagiani tried keeping the Georgians alive but his effort was tipped by Peretz onto the post to begin the Israeli celebrations.
