Beitar Jerusalem Rally Behind Omri Atzili’s Ninth Goal
Three minutes from the end, at the Green Stadium, Beitar Jerusalem looked set for another tough week after a stuttering start to the season. The 3-1 victory over Bnei Reina did more than three points; it restored belief and highlighted why the team is currently anchored by one man: Omri Atzili. With his ninth goal of the campaign across all competitions, Atzili became the decisive spark Beitar needed as they climbed to 10 points from five rounds.
Beitar fell behind 1-0 to Reina, a continuation of a dip in form seen in recent fixtures against Kiryat Shmona. Yet, the visitors’ lead was eaten away by Beitar’s persistent pressure, culminating in a late show of attacking intent that reflected the team’s growing confidence under coach Barak Yitzhaki.
Three important inputs lifted Beitar in this match: Yarden Shoa’s contribution—his season-opening goal from the penalty spot and an assist for Atzili—Ziv Ben-Shimul’s tenacity in midfield, and a re-worked defensive pairing between Brian Krawabli and Luka Gadraani that helped shield the goal in the second half. The combination helped Beitar regain control as Reina began to tire, paving the way for a smarter, more controlled performance after the break.
Atzili’s Impact and the Supporting Cast
Atzili’s importance was underscored by the way Beitar approached the closing stages. The forward’s ninth goal of the season capped a match that, until the final whistle, had been a study in patience and resilience. The team’s boss, Barak Yitzhaki, acknowledged the strain that accompanies chasing a result but stressed the value of three points in shaping the club’s week ahead.
“There are tense moments during this period, even when we win. To pick up three points is very important,” Yitzhaki said after the match. “We didn’t create many chances in the first half, but we controlled the tempo. Reina pressed us hard, we had no easy solutions. As time wore on, they grew tired, and in the second half we continued to dominate and played smarter football.”
Of Shoa, whose season began with a penalty and an assist for Atzili, the coach also commented on his hold on minutes. “He played well, I’m glad he completed 90 minutes. There have been better games, but finishing with a goal and an assist shows his value to the squad. Players like him need minutes, and today he was at about 50% in terms of his performance. If he keeps pushing himself, he won’t find himself on the bench.”
The Midfield Pivot and Defensive Shape
Yitzhaki also lauded Ziv Ben-Shimul, who moved into a defensive-midfield role when the situation demanded it. “I was prepared to sacrifice players with a more defensive orientation. Ziv Ben-Shimul isn’t supposed to be a defensive midfielder, but there was little danger, so I placed him there to help move the ball and add ballast and intelligence to the build-up. He’s a terrific professional, and the tempo of the second half shows how much we controlled the match.”
In the end, Beitar’s improved second-half control—coupled with clinical finishing and a competent defensive display from Gadraani and Krawabli—proved decisive. After five rounds, the team sits on 10 points from 15 and heads into the next phase of the campaign with renewed confidence in the collective effort.
Looking Ahead
Beitar now has a platform to build on. With Atzili delivering when it mattered and Shoa, Ben-Shimul, and the defensive duo stepping up, the club can press forward with greater certainty. The coach’s reflections pointed to a squad learning to balance intensity with intelligence, a combination that could transform a mid-table start into a compelling season narrative.
