Israel national football team

From Free net encyclopedia

Template:National football team The Israel national football team is the only team to have participated in four different continents: Asia, Africa, South America and Oceania in the Football World Cup qualifiers, before finally settling for Europe as a full member of UEFA. The Israel Football Association (IFA) was founded in 1928, 20 years before the creation of the state of Israel. IFA was accepted as a full member to FIFA in 1929. IFA first dealt with local leagues, but later also managed the national team that was created to participate in the World Cup qualifications (participated in 1934, 1938 as Palestine/Eretz Israel national team).

Israel played its first official game in 1934 in the world cup qualifiers losing 1-7 to Egypt. The team's first goal ever was scored by Avraham Nudelmann. Upon creation of the State of Israel in 1948, IFA became the official association of the new state. The Israel national team's first game as an independent state was on September 26, 1948, against the USA (result: 1-3 in favor of the USA).

In 1964 Israel hosted the Asian Nations Cup and won 2-1 against South Korea. In 1968 Israel went to their first Olympic Games and lost to Bulgaria by a draw in the quarterfinals. In 1970 Israel qualified for their first and only World Cup, but only got two points after draws with Sweden and finalist Italy and a loss to Uruguay. In 1976, Israel went to their second Olympic Games and lost in the quarterfinals again, this time against Brazil. In 1989, Israel made it to the playoffs of WC Italy 1990 from the top of the Oceania group, to play against Colombia who qualified from the South American group, but was denied. (1-0, 0-0). In 2000, Israel made it to the playoffs of Euro 2000, but was beaten by Denmark.

In 2006 World Cup qualifying, Israel finished third in European zone Group Four behind France and Switzerland despite being unbeaten in their 10 matches after four wins and six draws, and failed to qualify for the finals. Coach Avraham Grant decided to resign on 26 October 2005. His contract is due to run out in June 2006.