Two Israelis had contrasting Sundays in Europe, one tasting victory off the bench in Amsterdam, the other absorbing a second straight defeat in Hungary.
Oscar Gloukh came on as a substitute for Ajax and played the final 19 minutes as the Dutch giants beat Volendam 3-1 in a pre-season friendly. Anton Gaaei opened the scoring before Marcos Leonardo added a second from the penalty spot, both in the first half, and debutant striker Tolu Arokodare rounded off the win after the break.
It was a low-key cameo rather than a statement performance for Gloukh, who is building toward his first full Eredivisie season in an Ajax shirt after his move from Red Bull Salzburg. The 22-year-old, capped more than 20 times by Israel, is expected to be a regular fixture in Ajax's attacking midfield once the competitive campaign kicks off.
In Hungary, the news was less kind for Rotem Keller. The Israeli-Hungarian left-back started for Debreceni VSC away to Újpest FC in round two of the NB I, but was withdrawn at the start of the second half as Debrecen went down 4-2.
The result left Debrecen with back-to-back defeats to open the season, following a 2-0 loss to Puskás Akadémia FC in the opening round. It is a tough start for a club that finished fourth last term and will be looking to Keller's arrival to shore up a defence that has already conceded six goals in two matches.
Keller, 23, signed for Debrecen this summer on a three-year deal after leaving Maccabi Netanya, where he made more than two dozen league appearances last season. Versatile enough to play at left-back or centre-back, he had previously spent time in Hungarian football with Diósgyőr and holds dual Israeli-Hungarian citizenship.
Both players are part of a small but growing group of Israelis now plying their trade across Europe's leagues, and their next assignments will offer quick chances to bounce back: Ajax return to competitive action as their Eredivisie campaign approaches, while Debrecen host Nyíregyháza Spartacus in round three looking to arrest their slide.
