Bar, Chaim

Bar was a member of the Israeli National team in the late 1960s and early 1970s and was the only member of the Israeli National soccer team to compete in both the 1968 and 1976 Olympics, which were also the only two times that Israel advanced to the final tournament. A defender, Chaim also played in the 1970 World Cup, the only time an Israeli team has advanced to the final stage of competition. Between 1974 and 1983, Bar appeared for the Israeli National team 32 times and scored one goal.

Birth and Death Dates:
unknown

Career Highlights:
At the 1968 Olympics (in Mexico City), Israel made its first appearance in the soccer competition. 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 Bulgarian team and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Unfortunately for Israel, the coin toss that determined the winner (who would then advance to the semifinals) fell in favor of Bulgaria and the Israelis were forced to go home disappointed.

Two years later, Bar was a starting defender in the 1970 World Cup. In their group, Israel lost to Uruguay, 2-0, tied Sweden, 1-1, and tied Italy, 0-0; they did not advance past the preliminary group.

Bar was also on Israel's Olympic soccer team at the 1976 Montreal Games. They reached the quarterfinals, but got no further. Bar played in all three preliminary games, where 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, which defeated Israel, 4-1.

Origin:
Israel

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