Dror Kashtan still can't losen up.
The world belongs to the youngsters
11.09.2002,
No one really knows what is the story with Hapoel Tel Aviv. Dror Kashtan maybe
is the best coach in Israel but for two year they didn’t gain any title. But
last year was a historical year for the reds, they rise until quarter final in
the UEFA cup.
Dror
Kashtan still can't losen up.
Last year was really a European year for Hapoel. It
started with home win against Chelsea the English side 2-0. Everybody including
me thought Chelsea will smash Hapoel with 4-5 goals at London, but Dror
Kashtan's team wasn’t afraid and drew 1-1. Before the great draw in London
Hapoel took out Gaziatpspor the Turkish. After Chelsea, came a meeting with
Lokomotiv Moscu, again Hapoel surprised the Russians and want to play against
Parma. In Israel Hapoel won 1-0 and then came to Italy and won there too with a
2-1. Next was AC Milan, Hapoel Tel Aviv won in Cyprus (why? Ask UEFA) 1-0 and
lost 2-0 at the San Siro.
Maccabi Haifa's red light come Hapoel Tel Aviv, after the great performance in
the UEFA cup the reds didn’t manage to keep the form and lost in the league too
much. Dror Kashtan knows that he need to deliver a trophy this year because the
rope is starting to strangle. Hapoel sent some players to Europe due the success
in UEFA cup last year. Ilan Bachar went to Santander while Milan Ostrec is still
seeking for a team. Gershon the center Back almost signed at Blackburn and Igal
Antebi the left back was marked by a lot of European teams. Now the world
belongs to the youngsters who sat on the bench last year.
In Dror's goal sit Savit Elimelech. The Israeli
goalkeeper had some magical moments last year in Hapoel's run in the UEFA cup.
Nir Rahmin the young but talented goalkeeper will be his backup.
In the center of defense Hapoel can still trust their captain Shimon Gershon.
Gershon is a great defender and has a secure place in Israel starting 11. With
Gershon in the center we can see Asi Domb. Domb always was a good defender and
still is, although he didn’t play at national side a lot. Dodo Dahan is a backup
for both center defenders. Igal Antebi is a wonderful left back but he still
didn’t have his national premiere because he wasn’t in the army like all
players. Yacob Hilel is maybe the oldest member of the squad, he played at
Maccabi Tel Aviv and Bietar Jerusalem before moving to Hapoel. He can also play
in center of defense. Edi Elkayam is nice defender but he is still too young.
Klimi Saban is a very promising player that didn’t get a lot of chances last
year but this year he will. Another good player is Beni Hadad that can play in
all areas of defense. Alon Halfon who signed from Hapoel Haifa in the summer was
supposed to be a replacement to Gershon that almost sign in European club. Now
he might find himself on the bench because Gershon stayed. Rami Halis the right
defender started the season very well and may take this position.
3 years ago Hapoel Tel Aviv took the Israeli champion
with all the young stars in midfield and offence. But last year Kashtan benched
all his young talents because he had good foreigns. Now that all of the foreigns
left, the world belongs to the youngsters. So Salim Tuama will have to be better
then last year. Tuama plays as right midfielder. Omri Afek will play at left
side of midfielder. Afek opened the season quite well after scoring some goals
in the national team. Ben Loz might be a key player this season, after last year
he came to the team. Loz did play a lot last year but wasn’t a main player. In
the defensive midfield play some good players and it seems that this is the best
area of the red team. Yossi "the bald" Aboksis is a great player who became a
leader of this Hapoel Tel Aviv team and Dror knows he can trust him. Near him we
find one of the best players in the Israeli league, Gabor Holmay the Hungarian.
Denis Onishnko is also nice player we need to watch, but he is injured for now.
There are a lot of youngsters that may glimpse in the midfield this year, Erez
Masika, Tziki Kotler, Nir Hadad and Ohad Tzor. Tzor is a former captain of
Israel international youth team.
I am not a very big fan of Hapoel Tel Aviv but I have to say I just love Pini
"the hair" Balili. The star was a great player once until injury stopped his
progression. But resent months the great player was back to his glory days when
he was like Speedy Gonzalz and stroke some fine goals. If he will continue his
progress he might find himself in European club in the next few years. Meanwhile
he has a big struggle of a starting lineup spot against Sergi Klashnko the
Moldavian who had wonderful times last year. Kfir Udi who was a great player
also suffered from injuries but it seems like he is back to be a wonderful
player. Avi Knafo the new youngster might surprise all and grab a spot in the
starting lineup. Karlos Silva the new Brazilian is also an option for Kashtan in
the offense and in the midfield.
So that’s sum all Hapoel Tel Aviv's players. I think that their big star is Kashtan that took a lot of trophies with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Bietar Jerusalem and even Hapoel Lod! Can Hapoel Tel Aviv gain some trophy this year while Maccabi Haifa is busy in the Champions league? A guess time will tell!
Exceptions: Championship and Cup. Hapoel also
wants to go to the 3rd round in the UEFA cup or more.
Realty: Championship can go to Hapoel Tel Aviv although Hapoel has too
many youngsters. I think it depends on Kashtan. I see Hapoel Tel Aviv take the
cup.
Player to watch: Ohad Tzor: the former Hapoel Kfar Saba's player didn’t
get enough minutes last year but if Kashtan will give him minutes he might find
him a great player.
Possible 11th: Savit Elimelech; Klimi Saban, Shimon Gershon,
Asi Domb, Igal Antebi; Yossi "the bald" Aboksis, Gabor Holmay, Denis Unishenko,
Omri Afek, Salim Tuama; Sergi Klashnko.
DiD u Know: Hapoel Tel Aviv has one Asia Champions cup! Maccabi Tel Aviv has 2 of this unused trophy.
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