The Most Important Israeli Football News in 40 Years…

The Israeli national team hosts Greece on Saturday in what will be the most important football game for the country in 40 years. But with only 5 days to go until the crucial World Cup qualifier, Israel has been hit with the devastating news that its Captain and star player, Yossi Benayoun, is a major doubt with a hamstring problem.

Benayoun tore his hamstring while training for his club Liverpool less than a month ago and has yet to fully recover.

Despite the poor prognosis, backup Israeli goalkeeper Liran Strauber is confident Benayoun will play on Saturday.

“Even when Yossi isn’t completely healthy he will score the goal if the other 10 players work for him,” the Maccabi Netanya ‘keeper said at a press conference.

“Yossi would play in a wheelchair, without both feet and one hand for the 40,000 people at Ramat Gan. He makes the difference for the national team and together with the help of the rest of the players I’m very optimistic of our chances.”

I hope you are right Liran. I hope you are right.