Columnist Remains Optimistic About Hapoel Tel Aviv Despite Derby Loss

Despite a "cursed derby" loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv, columnist Emanuel Rosen remains convinced that Hapoel Tel Aviv possesses a "great team" that will eventually prove its capabilities. Rosen acknowledges the team's recent 4-1 defeat but likens it to conceding an early goal, emphasizing that there are still 85 minutes left in the season.

He dismisses potential pundit analyses focusing on tactical errors or individual player mistakes, such as the red card received by Turiel. Instead, Rosen chooses a third path of optimism, expressing love for the team and predicting that the current struggles will be a distant memory by spring.

Rosen highlights positive signs, including that star player Eran Zahavi did not score against them, and Jonathan Cohen also failed to score. He also touches on a "comic interlude" involving Hisham Layous, who he thought had left the country, scoring against Hapoel. He briefly mentions Ohad Davida, calling his involvement "the ugly side of football" and suggesting he learn from Dor Peretz how to be a sportsman.

Looking ahead, Rosen urges Hapoel fans to remain calm and prepare for their next match against Hapoel Petah Tikva, predicting a strong return and a future derby win. He concludes by questioning the importance of being wrong when one can choose to be optimistic for a change.