Hapoel Tel Aviv Women's Soccer Team Returns to Top League

After a single season in the second division, Hapoel Tel Aviv's women's soccer team is set to rejoin the top-tier Israeli Women's Premier League. The team, re-established in 2019, had previously returned to the top league in the summer of 2024 but was relegated after a difficult season. This time, with Ashrat Eini as professional manager and Ofer Ben-Zeev entering his third season as head coach, the team has significantly strengthened its roster with several Israeli national team players and new international signings.

The team will open its season on Thursday in a historic derby match against Maccabi ASA Tel Aviv, the first such encounter in over twenty years. "Last season we met our main goal, promotion," said Ben-Zeev. "We did it impressively, without a league loss, and reached the State Cup quarterfinals. But for me, beyond the results, the most significant thing was that we started laying the foundations for the team we want to be. We started building a culture, principles, and a clear professional path."

Hapoel Tel Aviv has made substantial additions to its squad. Eden Avital, an Israeli national team midfielder who led the second division in scoring with 38 goals, is joined by forward Maria Almatsri, who returns from Germany. Other key additions include national team defender Asia Draxler, forwards Hodaya Biton and Laisla Santos, midfielder Angela Nigito from Argentina, and defender Rebecca Zavaleta from Mexico.

"The feelings towards the season are very good," Ben-Zeev added. "The pre-season has largely progressed as planned, including a significant training camp in the Czech Republic. One of the most pleasing aspects is the integration of young players from the youth team into the senior squad environment." The team finished fifth in the Athena Cup, narrowly missing the semifinals.

Professional manager Ashrat Eini emphasized the long-term vision: "Our first goal is to continue building. We want to build the culture of Hapoel Tel Aviv within Israeli women's soccer through our training intensity, quality, demands, professional language, and how we conduct ourselves. We want to establish a high professional and human standard and maintain it throughout the season. Of course, Hapoel Tel Aviv plays to win every game." The club's management and owners are providing significant support, and the team aims to repay that trust on the field with courage, commitment, and intensity.