Bar, Chaim

Sport:
soccer

Country Represented:
Israel

Years Competed:
1968, 1976

Olympic Info:
Bar, a defender, was the only member of the Israeli National soccer team to compete in both the 1968 and 1976 Olympics. In 1968 (in Mexico City), they defeated Ghana in their first preliminary game 5-3, and then beat El Salvador 3-1 in their next game (Bar scored a goal against El Salvador). Despite losing 2-0 to Hungary in their final preliminary game, Israel advanced to the quarterfinals because they finished in second place in the group with 4 points. In their quarterfinal match, the Israelis faced a good Bulgaria team and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Unfortunately for Israel, the coin toss that determined the winner (and who would advance) fell in favor of Bulgaria. The Israelis were thus eliminated from the competition and the Bulgarians eventually won the silver medal.

Eight years later, Bar was a member of the 1976 Israeli Olympic team (in Montreal) that also reached the quarterfinals, but got no further. Bar played in all three preliminary games as Israel drew with Guatemala (0-0), Mexico (2-2), and France (1-1). The Israeli team finished second in the group to France with 3 points and advanced to the quarterfinals. Bar then played in the quarterfinal match against powerhouse Brazil, who defeated Israel 4-1.

Career Highlights:
Bar was a member of the Israeli National team in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was a starting defender in the 1970 World Cup, the only time in the country's history that they advanced to the final stage. In their group, Israel lost to Uruguay (2-0), tied Sweden (1-1), and tied Italy (0-0), but did not advance past the preliminary group.

Birth and Death Dates:
unknown

Origin:
Israel

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