Hapoel Tel Aviv Rebuilds as Dominant Force, Beitar Jerusalem Faces Crisis

Hapoel Tel Aviv is demonstrating a significant and sustained resurgence as a strong force in Israeli football, reminiscent of its successful 2010 team but with a more stable foundation for long-term relevance. Unlike the previous "miracle team" that built and collapsed quickly, the current Hapoel, despite potential player changes, benefits from sound management, a dedicated fanbase, and a blend of quality and defensive strength. The team is showing impressive form, particularly with standout performances from players like Stav Turi'al, Roy Elokim, and Douglas Owusu, who scored a notable goal and was instrumental in another. The author cautions against prematurely labeling Hapoel as championship contenders, emphasizing their recent history of playing in lower-tier cities and their impressive "phoenix-like" rise.

In stark contrast, Beitar Jerusalem is mired in a deep crisis, exhibiting erratic emotional swings and a lack of consistent performance. While acknowledging that quick judgments can be premature and that Beitar showed promise in earlier European matches and a near-qualification for the Toto Cup semi-finals, the article points to a fundamental issue with the team's current setup. Coach Almog Cohen, despite his past successes in building teams, is seen as still developing as a coach, and Beitar Jerusalem, with its aspirations for the championship, is deemed an unsuitable environment for his development.

The high expectations set by the ownership and professional management for Beitar this season are mismatched with the coaching situation. The team also suffers from significant weaknesses in its squad, particularly at the fullback positions and a glaring void in central midfield, which were exposed in their recent losses to Maccabi Netanya and Hapoel Tel Aviv. With the transfer window approaching, the article suggests that Beitar needs substantial changes, potentially including a more experienced coach and reinforcements to its roster, if it hopes to contend for the title.