Israel's late win pushes Jong the Oranje further from Euro qualification

Israel won 2-3 in Slovenia on Tuesday, reducing the chances of Jong the Oranje for a place at the European Championship. The Israeli prospects scored the decisive third goal in the very last seconds, a crucial turn for the group standings.

Israel’s victory and the impact on the group standings

Slovenia took an early lead through Dino Kojic, but the visitors turned the match around before halftime with an equaliser from Tai Abed (former PSV). Ran Binyamin then put the home side 1‑2. A quarter of an hour before the end, Mitja Ilenic brought Slovenia back level, after which Niv Yehoshua scored the winning goal for Israel in the very last minute.

With this win Israel climbs past Bosnia‑Herzegovina to second place, now with ten points. The Israeli team therefore has a lead over the Bosnian opponents in the standings.

What Jong the Oranje still needs to do to qualify

The Orange talents under coach Michael Reiziger sit in fourth place with six points and one game in hand. To still qualify, Jong the Oranje must win the remaining duels against Slovenia and Bosnia‑Herzegovina, and hope for a points loss by Israel against Norway.

On Friday the Netherlands will travel to Slovenia, and on Tuesday the team will play at De Vijverberg against Bosnia‑Herzegovina. Norway will still be in action tonight against Bosnia‑Herzegovina, after the Orange talents drew 0‑0 on Friday with group leaders Norway.

The group winner and the best runner‑up of the nine groups qualify directly for the European Championship, while the remaining second‑placed teams must contest play‑offs for the final four spots.

If Israel drops points against Norway, there remains a chance for the Netherlands to qualify, provided both remaining matches are won. However, an Israeli victory over Norway would virtually erase the hope of a second place.

The upcoming matches therefore constitute a crucial phase for Jong the Oranje; a win in Slovenia on Friday is the first step to keep the European Championship dream alive.