Head Coach
Ashdod had a rough start to the season and has already brought in a new coach. Reuven Atar began the campaign on the sidelines but when the club fell to last place, the coach was replaced by Amir Turgeman who played for Maccabi and helped win the 2002/03 championship. Turgeman is thought to be one of the up and coming head coaches in Israel and has plied his trade in the past in the Yellow & Blue Youth Department, Beitar Tel Aviv/Ramle and has also been an assistant coach with the Israel National Team. Ashdod is his first team in the Ligat Ha’Al.
Arrivals
The biggest name that joined the Ashdod ranks over the summer was 21-year old Blessing Elka who is full of raw potential and as per the local media was purchased for roughly one million Euros. Bulgarian central defender Victor Genev along with Brazilian Edilson Bahia who played with Hapoel Haifa last season were brought on board. Yuval Yakobovic also joined Ashdod over the summer.
What have they done up until now?
After 11 matches this season, Ashdod sits in last place with only 5 points with just one win, 2 draws and 8 losses. The match against Maccabi comes after 3 straight defeats with the last one being a 1:0 loss to Hapoel Raanana. Ashdod is also the club who has sore the fewest goals this season in league play with only 6.
Under the magnifying glass
There have been many players who have left Ashdod over the last few seasons, however, Gadi Kinda, who is thought to be one of the rising stars still finds himself with the club. The midfielder has become a main player for Amir Turgeman and has also assisted on 3 of the club’s 6 goals while also scoring one of them himself.
