Northern Ireland v Israel

SCOUTING REPORT

Andy Greeves takes a closer look at Israel ahead of this evening’s international friendly. LOWDOWN This game against Northern Ireland will be new manager Andi Herzog’s first in charge of Israel. And the Blue and Whites’ Austrian boss will be without a number of key players, with Nir Bitton, Tal Ben Haim II and Almog Cohen among those to have suffered with injuries in recent months. However, there is the possibility of exciting young forward Manor Solomon making his senior Israel debut against Michael O’Neill’s side. The 19-year-old has impressed for his club Maccabi Petah Tikva and was linked with moves to top European sides such as Benfica, Liverpool and Juventus over the summer. Following the cancellation of Israel’s friendly with Argentina in Jerusalem in June, the Blue and Whites haven’t played since a 2-1 home defeat to Romania back in March.

TACTICS Under previous manager Elisha Levy, and caretaker boss Alon Hazan, Israel usually lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The Blue and Whites’ full-backs have played a key role in the side’s attacks in this system with two holding midfielders, such as Bibras Natkho and Beram Kayal, giving the licence for the likes of Eli Dasa and Omri Ben Harush to get forward. Moanes Dabour is a man in form, having helped his club side Red Bull Salzburg reach the UEFA Europa League semi-final in 2017- 18. While the 26-year-old usually plays in the number nine role for Salzburg, he is also capable of playing in wide attacking areas or as a number ten in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

STRENGTHS Israel’s greatest strengths lie in forward areas. Brighton & Hove Albion’s Tomer Hemed (now on loan at QPR) is a prolific goalscorer at international level, with 16 goals in 32 international appearances. The aforementioned Solomon and Dabour are able to operate anywhere across the front line and pose a genuine attacking threat . POSSIBLE LINE-UP Goalkeeper - Ariel Harush; defenders - Eli Dasa, Sheran Yeini, Eitan Tibi, Taleb Tawatha; midfielders - Bibras Natkho, Beram Kayal, Eran Zahavi; forwards - Manor Solomon, Moanes Dabour, Tomer Hemed.

Many thanks to journalist Raphael Geller for his assistance in the writing of this article.