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Stadium: Yud Alef Ashdod (7,500)
Coach: Roni Aouate
Many aren’t familiar with the brand new Ashdod boss who took over the coaching reins from Eyal Lachman last season. The Ashdod born Aouate’s playing career came to an early end due to an injury but he began his trade in the city itself with Ironi Ashdod and then moved onto the Youth Club of SC Ashdod where he helped the side win a historic State Cup.
To help out the young Aouate, the veteran coach Gili Landau will be available to him as the Professional Director of the Youth Department as he will also handle some of the senior squad duties.
Former players – SC Ashdod has a young and talented squad with a couple of faces that will be familiar to Shota Arveladze’s side. Brazilian Nivaldo was a member of the Yellow & Blue between 2010-2012 and Ben Ben Yair who grew up in the Maccabi Youth Department and played a few times for the first team, will meet up with the team that he got his start in.
Preseason – The port city side played three matches in the Toto Cup competition as they prepared for the upcoming season. Aouate’s first match was a 3:1 home victory over Beitar Jerusalem that was played in Rishon Le’Zion while their second contest was a 2:2 draw against Ashkelon and in their third game at Turner Stadium Aouate’s side surprised Beer Sheva with a win over the champions. Even though Ashdod had a good start in the third most important tournament they lost to open the regular season falling to Kiryat Shemona away.
Under the magnifying glass: The Ashdod youngsters
Roni Aouate’s team had a very lethal and young attack which included a number of players who grew up in the Ashdod youth department. Michael Ohana, the 20-year old, leads the offense that also includes a number of players who are part of the Israel National Team youth sides such as Or Inbrum, Din David, Gadi Kinda, Niv Zrihan and others who will attempt to help the team to a successful campaign.
