Second blow for Banin
Saturday, August 16, 2003
Article summary
Israel have omitted former captain and midfield player Tal Banin from the squad for the friendly against Russia.
Article body
Bad week
National coach Avraham Grant has decided to leave out Banin - who was released by Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC for disciplinary reasons on Wednesday - but has found room in a 22-man party for Avi Nimni, who also parted company with Maccabi in midweek.
Revivo retained
Another player currently without a club, Haim Revivo, retains his place while the Maccabi Haifa FC pair of Nir Davidovic and Yaniv Katan receive their first call-ups since Grant took charge last year. Manchester City FC playmaker Eyal Berkovic is also included along with Pini Balili who recently scored on his debut for Turkish club Istanbulspor AS.
Bidding for second
Israel currently lie third in UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying Group 1 with eight points from five games, two behind second-placed Slovenia. Grant's side next travel to Slovenia on 6 September, before playing Malta four days later and ending their campaign with a game against group leaders France on 11 October.
Israel squad
Davidovic, Elimelech, Benado, Keisi, Harazi, Badier, Tal, Zandberg, Katan, Uzan, Zarfati, Ben-Haim, Nimni, Berkovic, Revivo, Abuksis, Benayoun, Alberman, Palili, Haliba, Azu, Shivhon.
