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 return to the top-tier Ligat Al for the upcoming season. The team, re-established in 2019, had previously been promoted to Ligat Al in the summer of 2024 but was relegated after a difficult season. This time, with Ashrat Eini serving as professional manager and Ofer Ben-Zeev entering his third season as head coach, the team has bolstered its roster with several Israeli national team players and significant new signings.

The team will open its season with a historic derby match against Maccabi ASA Tel Aviv, the first such encounter in over twenty years. Coach Ben-Zeev stated that promotion was the primary goal last season, achieved without a league loss, and that the team is now laying the foundation for its desired culture and professional approach. He emphasized that the promotion was just the first step in a larger building process.

Hapoel Tel Aviv has made substantial additions to its squad. Israeli national team midfielder Eden Avital, who led the second division in scoring with 38 goals, is joined by forward Maria Almatsri, who returns from Germany. Defender Asia Draksan, also a national team player with experience in Austria and Belgium, and forward Hodaya Biton have also joined from Maccabi Hadera. Foreign signings include Mexican defender Rebeca Zavaleta, Argentinian midfielder Angela Nigito, and forward Laísla Santos, who previously scored 24 goals for Hadera in Ligat Al.

Ben-Zeev expressed optimism about the team's preparation, including a training camp in the Czech Republic, and highlighted the integration of young players from the youth team into the senior squad. Professional manager Ashrat Eini stressed the importance of building a strong culture within Israeli women's soccer, focusing on intensive training, professional standards, and maintaining high human and professional ethics. While acknowledging the club's history and fan support, Eini stated the team's immediate goal is to continue building and establishing a professional standard, with the ultimate aim of winning every game.