Israel's Biggest Small Club

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Introduction: Background

Hapoel Ramat-Gan is a unique club in the Israeli view. The first ever team to win the title right after promotion (in 1963/64. Only Beitar Jerusalem achieved that again, in 1993.
It took the club 39 years to make the headlines again, Winning Gvia HaMedina (Israeli State Cup) as a 2nd tier team (the only Israeli club to manage that), who managed to stay clear from relegation just in the Saturday before the Final.
Shahar Caduri was the club captain these days, and as a commanding centre back he led a bunch of anonymous players that most of them had to work at other jobs, to an unbelievable cup glory.
In the following season, Ramat-Gan played in the UEFA Cup First Round against Levski Sofia. Due to security situation in Israel, the team was forced to host the first leg in Slovakia, and lost 5-0 on aggregate.
Later that season, the club was relegated to Israeli 3rd tier.


Caduri Lifting The Cup in 2003

‎‏‏A clip dedicated for the cup final


It took the club a few years to promote back to the 2nd tier, and in 2009 Ramat-Gan achieved promotion to Ligat Winner, Israeli Premier League, for the first time 20 years, only to relegate back to Liga Leumit, the 2nd tier, after 2 seasons.
However, Ramat-Gan bounced right back to Ligat Winner, and managed to get another unique achievement, by winning the 2013 Israeli Cup a few days after relegating again to Liga Leumit. With the same Manager, Eli Cohen, who got the rescue job a few months back, and again after a tense penalty shoot-out, Hapoel Ramat-Gan shook Israel for the second time in ten years.
Eli Cohen and most of his cup winning players left in the following summer, leaving Ramat-Gan with a young and obscure squad to face Portuguese side Estoril in the Europa League 3rd qualifying round. It didn't stop the team from making another sensation, taking home a huge 0-0 draw. A week later, in Ramat-Gan, Hapoel went down to 10 men after 9 minutes and conceded a penalty, which resulted in another creditable result, losing 1-0 to the visitors from Portugal.

1 mediocre season later, without a home ground and in a bad financial condition, the Hapoel Ramat-Gan board decided that the club should go in a different direction.
The veteran Shahar Caduri who just got his UEFA A License was appointed as club Manager by the Owner, Yehuda Doliner, and the Chairman, Einav Hazenvald.
Omer Buksenbaum, another club legend who retired due to injury, was appointed as Head of Youth Development.
The main goal: Establish a team built mainly on homegrown players, and changing the club stature from Israel's biggest small club, to Israel biggest club.


HaMakhtesh (The Crater). The club's former ground, demolished after a real estate scandal in 2011. The club averaged an attendance of 3,000 (out of 5,500 capacity) in his last couple of seasons.


Ramat-Gan Stadium, Israel's former national ground. The club current alternate ground, known for his terrible acoustics and atmosphere. The club is averaging an attendance of just 700 since leaving HaMakhtesh.

Part One: Pre-Season, Transfers, Toto Cup







Inheriting a small squad of just 19 players and without an assistant manager, Caduri knew he had a tough job on his hands.
After a meeting with the board he agreed to the club vision of developing youth players, and told the board he expects promotion.
With a 100k pounds for transfers and 9.8K pounds per week for wages, he went to work.

First task, recruiting an assistant. After interviewing a bunch of candidates, Caduri decided to sign a Spaniard, Gonzalo Bustamante, who spent the last 7 years as the assistant manager of Racing B.
Next, he got rid of Avi Soffer, who was getting payed to much for a 3rd center back. The club even managed to get 14.25K for him.
With 1 foreign player already in the club, the Ivorian Didier Brossou (click for profile), there was room for 2 more in the squad. these places were filled by the striker Georges Akiremy of Gabon, and Goeber, a Brazilian Defensive Midfielder.
The other signings were center back Adi Mahfud, Defensive all-rounder Yuval Fogelman, Left Back Majd Younis, all of them on free transfer.

With the squad looking ready for the season, The Urduns suffered a huge blow. the promising forward ,17 years old Moti Barshazky, opted to sign a full contract with Maccabi Haifa, with a small compensation fee of 32.5K payed to Ramat-Gan. Barshazky moved back 4 days later, but only on loan.
Another player joining on loan was the talented Midfielder of Tubruk, Dia Saba, who is on his last year of contract.



This is the final squad


the notable players (apart from the ones mentioned above) are Eldar Pshehazkey Omer Hazoom, Tomer Levi and Yaniv Mizrahi

And this is the formation to be mainly used



After a good preseason, including a 2-1 win over Israeli champions and arch rivals Maccabi Tel-Aviv, the team went on to play the group stage of Gvia HaToto Leumit (League Cup).
the first fixture was the Ramat-Gan derby, against Hakoah, which ended in a good performance and a 2-1 victory.
Second up, a home game against Beitar Tel-Aviv, a better show and an easy 5-0 win.
Last were Bnei Lod which gave a fight but suffered 2 late goals, final score 4-2 and a perfect group stage for the Urduns.




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Next update I'll be starting the league, stay tuned!

After a successful pre-season, The Urduns were ready to fire up their promotion campaign.
A trip to Rishon LeZion, one of the leage weaker sides, was scheduled to be Caduri's first main test.
Ramat-Gan started well, and got the lead after just 12 minutes from a Yaniv Mizrahi tap-in.
Rishon wanted to put up a fight, and just 2 minutes later came the equalizer. Wasted talent Shlomi Avisidris who managed to spend time in prison before coming back to Israel's top tiers, fired a superb shot from 30 yards, Pshehazkey at goal had no chance.
The visitors continued to press, and got a penalty after a controversial decision by the ref. Up stepped the Brazilian Goeber, but his shot was dreadful and into the keeper's hands.
8 Minutes later, a good set piece routine found Brossou free, and from 10 yards he fired home.
The Urduns kept in control until the final whistle, and got a crucial win to start their campaign on the right foot.



With a great feeling of optimism among the supporters, Hapoel went on to the first 'home' (the club doesn't really have a home) game of the season, against mid-table Hapoel Afula.
The visitors' manager, Yaron Hochenboim, managed Ramat-Gan in two different times, and managed to get only 2 wins in a combined total of 22 games.
Caduri's team started with high pressing, which allowed Afula's forward Yuval Shawat to easily get balls behind the defence. In the third time he got into a 1v1 with the keeper, he managed to keep his composure and give the visitors an early lead after 12 mins.
Ramat-Gan took control of the game and got into great scoring position, but Afula's keeper Ohad David stayed strong and made a few terrific saves.
With the home team looking for a goal, just before the half time whistle, the visitors had a corner. A good ball came into the box and midfielder Shlomi Hanuka doubled Afula's lead.
The Urduns came up on fire to the second half, but were denied again and again by David and his brave defenders. With 2 minutes of added time, the home team got a free kick on the edge of the box, and after a poor clearance buy the defense, Center Back Nehardea fired home from close range. 91 minutes gone, The Urduns got a late goal. too late?
Afula restarted the game and kicked the ball upfield, waiting for the final whistle. Right Back Eliraz Yehuda controlled the ball, and hoofed a long ball towards Akiremy. Afula's center back, Dudu Azulay, mistimed his header and Akiremy went through on goal, firing a hard shot to the bottom left corner. 2-2 and the 600 Home fans went mental.
Hochenboim went to do an emergency substitute with hope of retrieving the lead, and half a minute later Afula's winger Itsik Nash suffered a knock. with the clock showing 94 minutes Caduri's team went for a final chance, with left back Noam Cohen running down the flank. He then got to the byline and passed a low ball to Ofir Hemo who joined the box late, but his effort was parried away by the keeper. So close to an amazing victory, but Caduri must have been pleased with his side's character.




Gvia HaToto Leumit quarter-final was up next, and the Urduns had another chance to win a Derby game, another away fixture at Hakoah's Winter Stadium.
Starting with his second XI, Caduri saw Yuval Fogelman getting sent off after 36 mins thanks to a disgraceful two-feet challenge. With only ten men, Hapoel managed to get a lead just after half time, with forward Almog Buzaglo who pounced on a rebound after Lidor Cohen's shot.
Hakoah needed only 4 minutes to equalize thanks to a good finish by Passos.
20 minutes to go, Brazilian Heverton Zago was tripped by Yehuda just inside the box, and to the penalty spot went veteran Kobi Hasan, ex-Hapoel player. 2nd keeper Laski managed to save his spot kick, but the rebound came back to Hasan who scored easily and completed a Hakoah turnaround.
The Urduns went to restart the game, and a through ball found the pacey Almog Buzaglo behind the defense, and against the keeper he had no troubles to get an immediate equalizer.
After a 20 minutes of end to end football, the match went into extra time, which only Hakoah showed up for. 4 minutes into the first period, Laski made a bad save from Azaria's shot, and Eli Elbaz scored an easy goal to give the hosts the lead again.
From then on, Hakoah parked the bus, and managed to hold on to a precious victory over their arch rivals.




Devastated after the derby loss, Caduri's side had to get back on track quickly.
Another away game, this time against Maccabi Herzliya, and the Urduns knew they must take back the three points.
It started well for the visitors, with Ofir Hemo scoring after 10 minutes from another corner kick routine.
Herzliya didn't give up, and 5 minutes later striker Ahmed Mer'ei equalized with an excellent header from inside the six yard box.
The visitors attacked Herzliya with everything they got, and had to wait until the 56 minute, in which Moti Barshazky rounded off a superb team goal.
One minute later, a simple cross into the box left Didier Brossou alone for an easy tap-in. 2 quick goals to the visitors who should have now cruise to victory.
The hosts didn't raise a white flag, and managed to claw one goal back through Nissan Danon shot from the edge of the box, after 66 minutes the score is only 3-2 to Ramat-Gan.
Another ten minutes passed, and forward Shai Biton got through the defense and scored an easy goal against Pshehazkey, Herzliya are level again.
The Urduns couldn't find a fourth goal, and were left disappointed after throwing away a 2 goals lead.




Next up was another away trip, this time to Ramat HaSharon.
The match started exactly like the last one. 10 minutes gone, Hemo scores from inside the box to give the visitors the lead.
Ramat HaSharon couldn't find a break, and 5 minutes before half time Barshazky doubled The Urduns' lead.
Ramat HaSharon came on fire to the 2nd half, and in the 54 minutes Roi Atar, son of legend Reuven Atar, got one goal back.
6 minutes later, an early cross into the box found Atar's head, and just like that Caduri saw his team throwing away another 2 goal lead.
This time the end was different. With 15 minutes to go, the sub Yaniv Mizrahi took the ball from the host's center back, Avi Strul, and went to fire home against the helpless Golan Elkaslasy.
The visitors managed to hold on to that lead, and they took some very important 3 points.



After 17 days of break and 3 games on the road, The Urduns were up to host promotion contenders and recently relegated Hapoel Petach Tikva.
This time you could see Caduri's lads were working hard on the training ground. Ramat-Gan pressed right from the start and didn't give their opponents half a second to breathe.
The first came after 12 minutes. The visitors just couldn't clear the ball and after a few blocked shots it was center back Omer Hazoom who managed to fire the ball home.
On the 21 minute the same scenario happend again, this time Petach Tikva's Keeper, Kale, managed to parry the ball straight at Hazoom and the ball bounced in. Early brace for the defender.
Next on the scoresheet was the Gabonese striker Akiremy, who fired a half volley into the post and in.
Another cross at the 41 minutes found Brossou free for another easy goal, 4-0 at the break.
Petach Tikva managed to get a penalty 5 minutes into the 2nd half, but Pshehazkey did well to keep Yaniv Luzon's effort out.
57 minutes on the clock and just when it seems that the visitors got some breathing space, they went down to ten men after Eyad Abu Abied violent conduct.
The Urduns found motivation again, and 2 minutes later it was Yaniv Mizrahi turn to celebrate. Omer Hazoom managed to get an unbelievable hat-trick after another tap-in, and Didier Brossou completed the scoring to an amazing 7-0 victory.




Another two weeks int'l break were up for The Urduns, who then hosted bottom half Beitar Tel-Aviv.
Akiremy who just started to show his true qualities after a slow start, scored 4 great goals, and managed to get a perfect hat-trick (and then some), scoring with both feet and his head.



With high spirits Caduri's lads went very confident to their next match, an away trip to Bnei Lod.
And they had every right to be confident. Akiremy continued his great form and opened the scoring after 25 minutes with a great shot from inside the box.
Barshazky added a second 8 minutes later with a good shot from inside the six yard box, and on the 38 minute Brossou scored the third after an easy effort.
The visitors managed to completely strangle Lod's game with the host managing only 2 shots, one of them blocked an another long range free kick which went off target.



Our last match for this update is the home fixture against the suprising Hapoel Nazareth-Ilit.
Akiremy scored a brace this time (12, 41), with the visitors finding an equaliser through Basit's powerful header.
The second half was all about Didier Brossou, who scored a terrific long range effort after 60 minutes, and then another one from the edge of the box 10 minutes to go.
Another easy victory for the Urduns, they seem to have a good case for promotion this year.





Let's have a recap of what happened here:



This is the league table, 8 games in. SC Ashdod are by far the strongest team in the league, but they will not take the title without a fight



These were the 3 notable players of this period:

Georges Akiremy. Started on the bench and could hardly find the net, but after a conversation with the gaffer started scoring for fun and never left the line-up since


Didier Brossou. The Ivorian tireless midfielder is in control every game, and managing to get a lot of goals as a bonus


Moti Barshazky. The young talent is doing extremely well despite his young age, contributing 11 goals in 11 games. Will Caduri manage to sign him back on a permanent basis?

After a good 10 day rest, Hapoel Ramat-Gan were back in business. Hapoel Katamon was the visiting team, and despite being one of the weakest sides in the league, they defended very well in the first half with the Urduns finding it very hard to make a breakthrough.
In the second half the hosts widen their game, increased the tempo and managed to create chances, but still couldn't break the deadlock.
Then, with 2 minutes to go, the sub Dia Saba layed off to Brossou who from 25 yards fired a ball with his weaker left foot and into the back of the net! Huge sigh of relief for Caduri and his lads, The Urduns extend their winning streak to six.



In a terrific form, Ramat-Gan were ready for their biggest battle of the season. Ashdod, away.
Klinger's side were beaten for the first time this season, on their last encounter, away to Maccabi Yavne.
Around 3,500 people came to watch the match, that never really fulfilled the expectations. Ashdod started better and tried to make their qualities shown on the pitch.
And after a few chances missed, the hosts finally found a breakthrough, and it took them 30 minutes. Verta crossed from the right wing, and Midfielder Ataa Jaber, on loan from Maccabi Haifa, headed home, 1-0.
After a poor first half, Ramat-Gan upped their game on the second half and managed to create a few chances, but that wasn't enough. Ashdod win the first head-to-head clash of the season.



Disappointed after failing to come back with a result back to Ramat-Gan, The Urduns hosted the weak Hapoel Ashkelon.
Worried because of the lack of goals in the last 2 matches, Caduri made two changes with Mizrahi and Saba starting upfront in front of Buzaglo and Barshazky.
15 seconds on the clock, right back Tomer Levi dashed through the right wing, and his low cross found Didier Brossou. Quickest goal of the season so far.
The hosts were now able to play very calmly, and after 29 minutes they got a penalty, Brossou being pushed by Zelinger. Mizrahi stepped up and had no problem firing home, 2-0.
Ashkelon were unable to put a decent fight, and on the 66 minute center back Omer Hazoom headed home from a free kick to round off a comfortable win for Caduri's side.



Next up was an away trip to Maccabi Yavne, a team playing above expectations and the only side to bead league leaders Ashdod so far.
The Urduns started on the front foot and 10 minutes in, Yaniv Mizrahi headed a free kick cross, the ball was parried by the keeper and Mizrahi was first to an easy rebound, 1-0.
9 minutes before half time Brossou found himself free for an easy tap-in, 2-0.
Just when the second half started, Yanve's Gabi Edri was sent off for kicking Yaniv Mizrahi. The visitors didn't need a second invitation to press Yavne even higher up the pitch, and 4 minutes later it was 3-0, Nehardea scored after a corner.
30 minutes to go, The Urduns continued the rout, Brossou firing home one of his long rangers, and the victory was rounded off with a close range finish by Yaniv Mizrahi, 2 minutes later. Another great performance by Ramat-Gan, and another real statement.



After the magnificent victory at Yavne, a trip to the capital was next on the cards. It was Hapoel Jerusalem in the 3rd position, 6 points behind runner-ups Hapoel Ramat-Gan.
Caduri wanted to continue the great form, and after 23 minutes he got what he wanted, with a superb long range strike by Ofir Hemo.
The Urduns kept the momentum going, and 4 minutes later a sleek move found Barshazky who came back to the line up free in the box, and the young lad didn't have any problem slotting the ball home, 2-0.
With 52 minutes on the clock Defensive Midfielder Yosi Mekonen, who became a starter in the past few weeks, was sent off for a second yellow. That didn't stop the visitors from scoring another one, an own goal buy Guy Mishpati who headed the ball into his own net. 3-0 in the end, The Urduns are cruising.



After two successful away trips, Caduri's side were up for 3 consecutive home games. Irony Kiryat Gat and 2 games in a row against Ahi Nazareth, first in the league and then in the cup.
Irony Kiryat Gat players was looking intimidated even before the match even began. They knew the hosts would come at them at full stretch, and they had any reason to believe so.
Almog Buzaglo was the first on the scoresheet, celebrating his comeback to the starting eleven after 15 minutes. Breaking a goal drought of 13 hours, the forward got past two visitors before placing the ball in the far corner.
Right before half time the second goal came, and it was an own goal by the center back Nadav Keidar, who tried to clear a simple ball and managed to score a beauty.
Didier Brossou was the next to score after heading home a Noam Cohen great cross, 3-0. Kiryat Gat then pulled one back, with Omer Mulai taking an advantage of a defensive error to score, but the last word was belonged to Yaniv Mizrahi, who scored a penalty late in injury time, final score 4-1.



Ahi Nazareth, a top half team where up next, 3 days later.
It's difficult to play twice in a row against the same team, and it's even more difficult when you are confident, maybe even a little bit too much.
That helped the visitors grab a surprising early lead, with Hazoom loosing the ball in the box and striker Dor Hugi firing home after just one minute.
The Urduns needed only 3 minutes to strike back, and it was Almog Buzaglo who controlled well a low cross from the right and finished even better.
Cadurí's side took control of the came, with the early goal they conceded motivating them to complete the turnaround. On the 26 minutes that exactly what happened, Yaniv Mizrahi slotted home from inside the box.
At half time Caduri warned his players for complacency, and 8 minutes into the second half Akiremy, who spent a while without scoring, headed in after a good corner.
18 minutes to go, Buzaglo made it 4-1 after a great shot from the edge of the box. The visitors managed to get a consolation goal through a David Gomes goal, but Dia Saba was the one to complete the scoring with a sweet strike from 25 yards, final score 5-2.



With a more that decent cup reputation, The Urduns knew how important is the second game against Ahi Nazareth.
And the hosts started superbly, Noam Cohen passed into the box and found Ofir Hemo who found Gal Nir near post exposed. 1-0 after 5 minutes.
Ahi Nazareth needed a while to come back from the shock, but eventually they found a goal, Dor Hugi with a great header equalised after 30 minutes.
This time the visitors made life very hard for Caduri's side, creating chances and not letting the hosts getting almost any.
With the game going into extra-time, Buzaglo had to come off in the 97 minutes after suffering a sprained ankle. Caduri made his 3 subs and now his team were down to ten men. It took Ahi 4 minutes to seize on that, Axebrad rounded off a good move and put the visitors in the driving seat.
With a numerical disadvantage, Ramat-Gan tried but couldn't find a breakthrough, their cup dream was over very early this season.



After the cup disappointment, The Urduns travelled up north to Afula, who almost managed to beat them in the reverse fixture.
And the hosts were the ones to start better, after 24 minutes Matan Nachmani lost Hazoom, rounded Pshehazky and slotted home, 1-0.
4 minutes later, the beast has woken up. Tomer Levi crossed, Akiremy headed in from close range, 1-1.
Another 4 minutes gone and the comeback was complete, with a good finish from Ofir Hemo from inside the box, 2-1.
On the 64 minutes Sahar Ben Menashe clattered Barshazky on the edge of the box, and Mizrahi converted the penalty successfully.
Ben-Menashe was sent off 2 minutes later for another yellow, and Nehardea completed the scoring with a nice header, 4-1.




So this is what we had over those 2 months:



And this is the league table. Ashdod stumbled a bit which gave us the lead, and more importantly there's a nice cushion from 3rd place



Notable Players:

Ofir Hemo. Started every league game so far, but his recent form was excellent. He teams up with Brossou to a great partnership in the middle of the park.



Elad Nehardea. The young center back got a chance in the starting eleven, and didn't disappoint since. Playing in a mature way, his future looks bright.



Noam Cohen. The solid left back is doing a quiet but excellent job, and with the confidence he gained he joined the attack to create some goals.