Israeli rivals look to topple troubled Beitar
Reuters - Thursday 28 August 2008, 02:00
JERUSALEM - After two seasons of near
invincibility, Beitar Jerusalem look vulnerable as they begin
the defence of their Israeli Premier League title at the
weekend.
Beitar swept all before them last season when they defended
their league title and captured a first double by winning the
cup as well but they have suffered some serious knocks ahead of
the new season.
The richest club in Israeli soccer, with a reported budget
of more than $40 million, Beitar start the season with a
two-point deduction as punishment for a pitch invasion by fans
earlier this year.
Any hope of reaping the rewards of playing in the Champions
League or the UEFA Cup were quickly dashed when Beitar suffered
a crushing 6-2 aggregate defeat by Poland's Wisla Krakow in the
second qualifying round last month.
Billionaire owner Arkady Gaydamak's plans to recall former
French coach Luis Fernandez to join the experienced Yitzhak Shum
appeared to fall flat when Gaydamak said this week that the
Frenchman could not come because of contractual commitments.
Uruguay international striker Sebastian Abreu was the
season's big-name signing when he joined Beitar but their
leading rivals have been far more modest as they aim to rebuild
with fresh, young, mainly home-grown players.
Maccabi Netanya, runners-up in the last two seasons,
welcomed high-profile German coach Lothar Matthaeus. His
demanding regimen initially surprised the players who said he
was working them twice as hard in training as any Israeli coach
ever had.
Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv also have new coaches,
respectively recruiting Elisha Levy and Ran Ben Shimon.
Hapoel Tel Aviv were the only top club to keep faith in
their coach, with Eli Guttman staying on for a second season.
With the top two divisions set to expand from 12 to 16 clubs
next season, only one club is certain to be relegated. Five
clubs will be promoted and the 11th-placed finishers will play
off with the sixth-placed club in the second division to
complete next season's lineup.
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