The Israeli U20 national soccer team achieved one of the greatest accomplishments in Israeli soccer history overnight Sunday, advancing to the round of 16 in the U20 World Cup with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Japan in the 92nd minute while down to 10 players.
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Ofir Haim’s men, who opened the tournament in Argentina with a dramatic 1-2 loss to Colombia and a one-all draw with Senegal after leading in both games, knew they had to win at the Estadio Mendocino to advance to the round of 16, and they did it in the most dramatic and sweetest fashion.
Isa Sakamoto gave Japan the lead in the 45th minute thanks to slack defending from the Israeli rearguard, and the Blue and Whites were sure they were heading home. All hope seemed to be lost for the Israelis when Ran Binyamin was sent off with a red card in the 68th minute, just eight minutes after coming off the bench as a substitute, leaving Israel down to 10 men.
However, last year’s European Championship finalists did not give up, even after being one man down and mounted a heroic comeback.
Roy Nawi equalized in the 76th minute, just four minutes after coming on as a substitute. Then came the big moment in stoppage time. Dor Turgeman managed to masterfully thread the ball past defenders inside the box with an exquisite back-heel pass that found Omer Senior, who slotted home the ball from close range and sent the national team celebrating a historic achievement in its first-ever appearance in the under-20 World Cup knockout stages.
Meanwhile, Colombia drew Senegal 1-1, and Ofir Haim’s men climbed to second place in Group 3. Colombia finished first in the group, and Japan and Senegal were eliminated.
Israel will face Asian champions Uzbekistan next in the round of 16 in Mendocino overnight Wednesday.