News and Rumors

• Hapoel Tel Aviv owner Eli Tabib has announced he wants to sell the club for 25 million shekels. He also announced that the team’s best players are all for sale. In addition the team will not be having a training camp, and he will no longer invest any money into the club. To some it looks like a similar story to when he gutted Hapoel Kfar Saba which was then relegated to the Liga Leumit. Others believe he is taking revenge against the clubs fans, who demanded that he will leave. Hapoel Beer Sheva want Omer Damari from Hapoel Tel Aviv, but the price is too high for them. While Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa want Nosa Igiebor.
• Coaches from the youth department of Maccabi Petah Tikva toured the facilities of Ajax Amsterdam in an effort to improve their youth setup.
• Maccabi Haifa defender Jurica Buljat was called up to the final squad of Croatia for Euro 2012,  the Greens will be looking to sell the Croatian defender in the summer.  If he plays then it will probably make it easier for Haifa to do so.
• The Israel Football Association is considering terminating the contract of Eli Ohana on June 30th. Ohana is currently the coach of Israel’s u-19 Team, however his teams have performed poorly since his tenure in 2008 and the last loss was a particularly humiliating one. It was a 7-1 loss at the hands of Portugal. Ohana is a legendary player but has a spotty record as a manager.

News and Rumors

• Kiryat Shmona has made their first signing of the transfer window. They signed Macedonian International Darko Tasevski on a free transfer from Bulgarian side Levski Sofia. He is an attacking midfielder valued at 1.500.000 Euros on  the website Transfermarkt.
• AEK Larnaca midfielder Gonzalo Garcia continues to be linked with a move to Maccabi Tel Aviv

Israel Loses To The Czech Republic 2-1

A late goal from the Czech Republic gave the hosts a win in the 93rd minute. However the game was a close affair up until around the 70 minute mark when mass substitutions were made in the game.  After that the hosts pressured Israel and wound getting a goal late on. I thought Israel deserved a draw, but ultimately they made too many mistakes and had to pay with a loss. I thought Israel defended better than their previous game against the Ukraine, however they still could have done better when they let in a deflected goal at the end.  Israel gave away another cheap penalty when Milan Baros got in behind Israel’s defense and was played onside by Yuval Spungin. Baros ran into Israel’s keeper Ariel Harush and drew the penalty and subsequently converted it. Israel’s goal came after some nice work by Maor Melikson, who found Itay Shechter in the box who headed from about 11 yards out. It was a really good finish and Israel deserved the tie going into half time. The second half was more lethargic until both countries started making substitutions. All game the Czechs were able to make inroads on Israel’s flanks and get in behind Israel’s defense. I also thought the Israeli players could have put more effort in, they seemed to be walking during parts of the game.  I also think our players take too many touches and don’t move the ball around quickly enough.

Player Ratings

Ariel Harush – 5 , made some really good saves, but could have done more not to have given away a penalty, it amazes me how stupid goalkeepers can be sometimes.

Shmuel Scheimann – 2 had some nice touches and seemed comfortable on the ball, but he was constantly backing off and allowing the Czech attackers too much room, he was also getting beat for pace and allowing the attackers to get in behind him. It’s possible Rami Gershon could start in his place.

Yuval Spungin – 3 he was again responsible for a goal when he left Milan Baros onside and Baros subsequently drew a penalty. He also got worked in the second half, although not as badly as Scheimann, I hope Elad Gabai starts against Germany.

Rami Gershon – 4 made some nice blocks during  the time he came on, could have blocked the shot that the Czechs scored with. Maybe he will start at left back next game for Israel?

Eitan Tibi – 6 I thought he had a good game, seemed like he was everywhere making blocks. He has good speed and positioning and wasn’t beaten for pace. I think Guttman may have found a partner for Tal Ben Haim.

Tal Ben-Haim – 6 he had a good game, and was subbed off for Rami Gershon, he may not be very good at club level, but he has done well for the National Team.

Eran Zahavi – 4 was pushed around physically, had some nice touches, but could have passed the ball more quickly, wasn’t as fast as his Czech counterparts in the midfield.  I’d like to see Nir Biton play for him in the next game as Israel needs a more physical presence in the midfield.

Bibras Natcho – 4 spent a lot of his time defending so he didn’t really get a chance to show much of his passing range, but really didn’t make any mistakes, Israel needs faster players in the central midfield.

Avihai Yadin – 3 Didn’t really do much in the game, can’t seem him getting a lot of starting time in the future, as he is as just as slow as any other player and doesn’t offer much going forward or defensively.

Yossi Benayoun – 4 had some nice touches, missed a couple passes early on, did a good job defending, pretty mediocre game.

Maor Melikson – 5 look dangerous during the first half, was pretty consistent, made a nice assist for Israel’s goal.

Lior Rafaelov – 3 didn’t do much in the game, looked out of it, not sure why he didn’t play better. Perhaps he’ll do better if he starts.

Gil Vermouth – 4  I thought he had some nice touches, Israel didn’t really get forward very often late in the game when he came on. He’ll probably play more against Germany.

Itay Shechter – 6 He had a nice headed goal, looked alert, got fouled a couple of times, overall had a decent game. I guess he certainly isn’t finished after his poor season at Kaiserslautern.

Omer Damari – 5 didn’t really have alot of touches, but he looked good, certainly showed good speed, caused the Czech defenders some problems.

Ben Sahar – 2 was invisible from the time he came on, had a shot on goal, I would have preferred if Eliran Atar had been called up and gotten a chance.

Tomer Hemed -3 wasn’t able to make any effect on the game, although he may get a chance to play next game.

News and Rumors

• Hapoel Tel Aviv have made their first signing of the offseason, signing left-back Daniel Borcal of Beitar Kfar Saba who had previously been on trial at the Spanish club Valladolid. They have also been linked with veteran player Assi Baldut.
• Maccabi Haifa is being linked with Real Potosi attacker Gerardo Yecerotte, Yecerotte has scored 34 goals in 88 appearances for Potosi. Potosi is in the Bolivian league.

Ligat Ha’al Team Of The Year

After a long season, the Israeli League is finally over. Kiryat Shmona were the surprise Champions and they have a number of players in my team of the year. Although Kiryat Shmona didn’t finish it didn’t matter as all the other teams had such a poor start to the season, that all Kiryat Shmona had to was not lose all their games at the end of the season. Maccabi Netanya also had a number of players in the team as well.

Goalkeeper – Dani Amos(Kiryat Shmona)

Amos was behind the league’s best defense, that allowed only 26 goals in 37 matches. Amos has been called up to the National Team, and may get his first cap against the Czech Republic.

Left Back – Omri Ben Harush(Netanya)

Ben Harush was part of Maccabi Netanya’s excellent season, and has been linked with a move to Israeli powerhouse Maccabi Haifa. He was also capped twice against Greece and Croatia in the fall of 2011. He also scored the winning goal that brought Maccabi Netanya a European spot for next year.

Right Back – Elad Gabai(Kiryat Shmona)

Gabai got his first cap against the Ukraine, and had the best season of any right back in Israel and was part of the best defense in the Israeli league. Gabai is quick and is also a good crosser of the ball.

Center Back – Salah Hasarma(Kiryat Shmona)

One of the oldest players in Ligat Ha’al at age 38, Hasarma was part of the bedrock defense of Kiryat Shmona that let in only 26 goals.

Center Back – Shir Tzedek(Kiryat Shmona)

Tzedek is a youth product  of  Kiryat Shmona’s academy, and received his first National Team cap against the Ukraine along with his fellow defender Elad Gabai. Tzedek is young and has alot of potential.

Center Midfield – Kobi Moyal(Beitar Jerusalem)

Moyal helped Beitar stay up, and is possibly the best central midfielder in Ligat Ha’al. He has been linked with a move to Maccabi Haifa, depending on Beitar’s financial situation. Moyal is a tough tackler, and has good range of passing.

Center Midfield – Kobi Dajani(Netanya)

Dajani had a great year for Netanya as he helped the diamonds to a Europa League spot. Dajani earned a call up from Luis Fernandez but has yet to find the same favor with current manager Eli Guttman.

Attacking Midfield – Pedro Galvan(Bnei Yehuda)

Galvan has again been a high scorer for Bnei Yehuda ever since he’s been there and this season was no exception he scored 18 goals in all competitions.

Attacking Midfield – Chen Ezra(Netanya)

Ezra has scored 12 goals in all competitions for Maccabi Netanya, and has been the hottest summer transfer target of the summer. I think he will stay with Netanya in the summer due to the high asking price of his club.

Striker – Omer Damari(Hapoel Tel Aviv)

Damari was the second leading scorer in the Israeli League this year with 17 goals and has attracted interest from abroad. Certainly a young player for the future.

Striker – Ahmed Sabaa(Netanya)

Ahmed Sabaa had a great year, and has been something of late bloomer with his 20 goals all season. Sabaa is 31 years old and has proven that even an older player can still be successful. His form was key to Netanya’s great season.

 

 

News and Rumors

Well It’s been a big day in Israeli Football news

• Gai Assulin was released by Manchester City after being there for one and a half seasons, Assulin never played for the first team, and was injured during much of his stay. Assulin was once and still possibly is the golden boy of his generation, but his clock is slowly ticking. I hope he doesn’t stay in England and sets his sights lower for the Netherlands, where I think he could do well.
• The much rumored move of Barcelona youth coach, Oscar Garcia, has finally materialized as he was officially announced as the new Manager of Maccabi Tel Aviv. I think Garcia has the potential to be a huge success or bust, it depends on how he handles the language gap, as well as the mentality of the average Israeli player. Garcia has signed a two year contract with the club.
• Israeli police have arrested a player of Ahi Nazareth after the team lost to Bnei Lod 6-0 in a game that determined if Bnei Lod would be eligible to fight for promotion to Ligat Ha’al. Both teams represent the Arab sector in Israel, and both the owner and manager of Lod  in the past have made anti-Jewish statements.
• Maccabi Netanya is currently asking one and a half million Euros for the rights to sign Chen Ezra. Maccabi Haifa have been the primary suitors for the player, however the price is likely to deter them from buying the player and look elsewhere for reinforcements.
• Maccabi Haifa defender Sari Falah, according to the Belgian media, has taken medical tests with AA Gent. Falah is an Under-21 National Team starter, and has been in a dispute with Maccabi Haifa over his lack of playing time. Falah’s father has denied that his son is in Belgium or that he has taken medical tests.
• Bulgarian striker Kostadin Hazurov has signed with Belgian club Lierse after having a successful season with Bnei Sakhnin and scoring 14 goals in Ligat Ha’al. The striker was only there for one season, but left due to unpaid wages.
• Belgian media is speculating that English clubs are interested in Club Brugge attacking midfielder Lior Rafaelov.

 

News and Rumors

• Hannover has officially sent a representative to Israel to make an offer for a 3 year deal to Maccabi Haifa left-back Taleb Tawatha.  If Tawatha accepts then the two teams will have to negotiate a transfer fee.
• Chelsea is demanding an answer from Arsenal regarding a possible transfer move for Yossi Benayoun. West Ham and Ajax have reportedy shown interest in the player. I think Ajax would be a good move for Yossi, especially since they will be in the Champions League and he was a former youth player there.
• Maccabi Netanya are reportedly demanding one million dollars for Maccabi Haifa target Chen Ezra. Ezra scored 12 goals this season for Maccabi Netanya.
• Danish media is confirming Oz Rali will be the first signing of the summer for Danish club OB Odense. Odense has not yet confirmed the signing.
• Ben Sahar, and Eden Ben Basat both experienced Jew hatred while they were in France according to an article in Haaretz below. Both players had unpleasant experiences and will both seek to leave the country in the summer. Sahar will go back to Espanyol, and Ben Basat will seek a new team.

http://www.haaretz.co.il/sport/israel-soccer/1.1712506

News and Rumors

• Almog Cohen has left the Israel National Team training camp with an injury. Nir Biton has been called up to replace him. It’s likely that Biton may play after Biram Kiyal said that he will only be training but not participate in any of the upcoming friendlies.
• Bnei Sakhnin striker Kostadin Hazurov may move to the Belgian club Lierse due to Sakhnin not being able to meet his wage demands. Bnei Sakhnin is being linked with stikers Victor Maree, Mohammad Kalibat, and Mahran Lala as possible replacements.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Makes Changes

Maccabi Tel Aviv is closer to signing Barcelona youth coach, Oscar Garcia, to be their manager. Garcia had worked previously with Jordi Cruyff at Barcelona and Maccabi is supposed to announce that he will be their manager within the next week. Guillermo Israelevich, Klemi Saban, and Nivaldo have all been notified by Maccabi that they won’t be continuing with the club next year. All three players had poor seasons, and their dismissal was not a surprise. Maccabi continues to be linked with AEK Larnaca attacking midfielder Gonzalo Garcia.

Guttman Calls Up National Team

Eli Guttman has called up Israel’s National Football Team for a training camp in Austria before their two friendlies against the Czech Republic and Germany on May 26th and May 31st respectively. Guttman called up many players that played under him at Hapoel Tel Aviv when he took them to the Champions League. I was disappointed that he didn’t call up Maccabi Tel Aviv striker Eliran Atar, instead he made a surprise call-up of Eden Ben Basat, who plays for the French club Stade Brestois 29. Basat has only 4 goals and 3 assists in all competitions this year.  He also called up out of form striker Itay Shechter, who had a poor season for the German club Kaiserslautern. Avihai Yadin also returned to the squad after being for a long period. Avihai Yadin and Itay Shechter both played under Guttman.

Keepers: (Dani Amos: Kiryat Shmona)(Ariel Harush: Beitar Jerusalem)(Ohad Levita: Hapoel Be’er Sheva)

Defenders:(Tal Ben-Haim: Portsmouth)(Eitan Tibi: Kiryat Shmona)(Shir Tzedek: Kiryat Shmona)(Din Mori: Bnei Yehuda)(Rami Gershon: Standard Liege)(Shmuel Scheimann: SBV Excelsior)(Yuval Spungin: Omonia Nicosia)(Elad Gabai:Kiryat Shmona)

Midfielders:(Yossi Benayoun:Chelsea)(Gil Vermouth:Kaiserslautern)(Bibras Natcho:Rubin Kazan)(Eran Zahavi:Palermo)(Avihai Yadin:Hapoel Tel Aviv)(Almog Cohen:Nurnberg)(Maor Melikson:Wisla Krakow)(Lior Refaelov:Club Brugge)(Biram Kiyal:Celtic)

Forwards:(Eden Ben Basat:Stade Brestois)(Tomer Hemed:Mallorca)(Itay Shechter:Kaiserslautern)(Omer Damari:Hapoel Tel Aviv)(Ben Sahar:Espanyol)

What are your thoughts on the squad? Let me know.