Israeli men’s soccer team squares off with Japan in must-win Olympic match

By Amy Spiro

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30 July 2024, 10:16 pm

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Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel

The Israeli team poses prior to the Group D soccer match between Israel and Japan, at the La Beaujoire stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, July 30, 2024, in Nantes, France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)

Israel kicks off its soccer game against Japan at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which it must win if it wants a shot at staying alive in the tournament and advancing to the quarterfinal.

Israel tied its first match against Mali and lost its second match to Paraguay. If it loses or ties tonight, its Olympic run is over.

Speaking to foreign media ahead of the match, head coach Guy Luzon admits that it will be an uphill battle for the Israeli team: “We don’t have any choice, we have to win… we have to be tough without the ball and smart with the ball.”

Luzon notes that “Japan is one of the best teams in the tournament, they didn’t concede a goal until now and we know it will not be an easy game.”