Beitar Jerusalem's Yarden Shua Vows to Win Championship After Conference League Exit

Beitar Jerusalem was eliminated from the Conference League qualifiers after a dramatic penalty shootout loss to Austria Vienna on Thursday. The match ended 2-1 in regular time, but Austria Vienna advanced 4-2 on penalties. The team's European campaign began with a tense penalty shootout victory over AEK Larnaca and concluded in a similar fashion against the Austrian side.

In an interview from Vienna, striker Yarden Shua reflected on the team's performance throughout the campaign, noting their dominance in matches despite some costly mistakes against Austria Vienna. He highlighted the challenges of adapting to a new squad and a higher intensity style under coach Almog Cohen, who recently transitioned from professional manager to head coach. Shua acknowledged the team's bad luck and the impact of his disallowed goal and missed penalty, which could have changed the outcome.

Looking ahead, Shua emphasized the club's renewed focus on winning the Israeli championship this season. "We will complete what was missing last year," he said, promising a stronger team mentality and better game management. He also praised Beitar's passionate fan base, with around 20,000 season ticket holders, and expressed confidence in delivering results that satisfy their expectations.

Regarding his role in the penalty shootout, Shua explained he chose to take the last shot due to pain late in the game. On potential moves abroad, he stated his full commitment to Beitar Jerusalem for now but admitted that like any player, he dreams of playing overseas. Overall, Shua conveyed determination and optimism as Beitar prepares for the domestic season with high ambitions.