After last weekend Taibe Youth Sports Club defeated Tira Sports Club 3: 4 with 11-yard free kicks, Taibe coach Yigal Entebbe and his team will try to surprise Hapoel Kfar Shalem from the southern district in the district finals in the playoffs for promotion to the National League.
The one who has been doing well in recent weeks is none other than the goalkeeper on loan from Hapoel Kfar Saba, Dan Drori, who has often saved his team from loss and some would say that thanks to him the team qualified for the district finals, where they will face Hapoel Kfar Shalem and Omer Peretz (Friday, 6.5, 14:00). Taibe, who last season survived a relegation in the last round against Urbani Tiberias, started the current season lazily, but as the season progressed, Yigal Entebi’s work plan began to mature.
“The very fact that we are already here, is an achievement for this club,” he notes Entebbe At the beginning of his remarks to ONE. It is important to remember that the young Taibe, with the arrival of Yigal Entebbe, was at the bottom of the table. “Abed Rabia and the other members of the management signed me to stabilize the club. I came to the club when Taibe was a few points from the red line.”
Entebbe continued: “Reaching the top playoffs and talking about league promotion was not in the plans at all. I saw that there is a good player base here, that can be developed and brought about achievements. As the league progressed, so did our players team up and take steps toward the top playoffs. I’m glad it was like that and we will continue to march to the end. “
In Yigal Entebi’s staff, you can find veteran players alongside young people, who have connected and are having a great season on every scale. Tal Ayala, Victor Marai, Dan Drori, Karim Blaum and Ahmad Rabia – are just a small part of the names that came to the team and together with them joined the powerful crowd that wants to see Taibe return to the forefront of Israeli football.
“In my way I like to see players working and committed to the system. It is of paramount importance to me. Everyone must be in full focus towards every game. I am proud of my players who set the tone and reached such an advanced stage. It proves how much character they have.” Said the coach.
Quite different from last season, in which Taibeh got into an underground fight against Tiberias and was rescued from it thanks to a single goal in the final round, this time the story is completely different. “Yes, the Taibeh of ‘Abd Rabia and Issa Nujidat would have stepped down from relegation. Everyone was sure that the club was going to be buried and disappear like Hapoel Taibeh who is remembered here for the good of everyone. This year is different.”
The coach continued: “True, the team got into a kind of crisis at first, but when I arrived everything stabilized, connected and became the best one could only ask for. There are special and good people in Taibeh who want the success of the club and bring the large crowd back to the pitches, who will celebrate with the players that they really deserve. This city deserves to be happy, probably in a season like this. “
Ahead of the decisive game, Entebbe sounded pretty relaxed. He understands very well what is expected of him and the team this coming Friday, but believes with all his heart that he has a particularly strong team that can face an entire village with great respect: “I believe, because if not, we would not be here. It’s like a cup final. To happen in it. “
Entebbe concluded: “We are in the midst of preparations for this match, we know very well what Kfar Shalem is worth, certainly after defeating Kfar Qassem which led them 0: 3, so it proves to everyone how much character there is in this club called Kfar Shalem. We do not expect an easy game. Everyone knows that. It will be difficult, challenging, and I hope we will leave in good taste at the end. “