In Saturday night's international friendly, Israel suffered a 3-0 defeat to Hungary, conceding three early goals that set the tone for the match.
As reported by JPost, Barnabas Varga's brace and assist secured an easy victory for the hosts at Debrecen's Nagyerdei Stadium, overshadowing Ran Ben Shimon's debut as head coach of the blue-and-white squad. Despite attempts to alter defensive tactics and inject fresh energy with early substitutions, Israel struggled to find its rhythm against a well-controlled Hungarian side.
Ben Shimon acknowledged the tactical challenges faced by his team but remained optimistic about the learning opportunities it presented. While the game didn't unfold as desired, he highlighted the impact of strategic substitutions and expressed confidence in the team's potential for growth and improvement. Looking ahead to the upcoming match against Belarus, Ben Shimon emphasized the need for adaptability and quick responses in a rapidly evolving game.
Goalkeeper Omri Glazer echoed Ben Shimon's sentiments, acknowledging Israel's slow start while finding positives in the team's second-half performance. Amidst the disappointment of the match result, Glazer also shared the team's collective joy upon hearing news of the successful hostage rescue, offering gratitude to the IDF and security forces while extending condolences to the family of the fallen soldier. Despite the defeat on the field, the spirit of resilience and solidarity prevails within the Israeli team as they continue their journey forward.