Hapoel Jerusalem desperate for win vs Mac Ashdod

Despite opening the season with three straight defeats, Sharon Drucker’s position as Hapoel Jerusalem coach seems to be safe for the time being.

However, that could all change should Jerusalem fall to 0-4 after Sunday night’s BSL encounter with Maccabi Ashdod.

To Hapoel’s credit, it suffered tight defeats in all three of its league games so far, losing by an average 5.3 points per game.

But that will be of little consolation for the Red faithful, who entered the season with typically high expectations and have already got the bitter taste of disappointment lingering in their mouths with the season just three weeks old.

While Drucker can be relatively pleased with his side’s offensive displays to date, he is well aware that his team will not win many games this season if it continues to allow 83 points per contest and turn the ball over some 16 times a night.

“The players really want to do well and it is not true that they are indifferent,” Drucker said during a meeting with fans last week. “We all have a big responsibility being part of Hapoel Jerusalem and we will do everything so that we will finally show up on Sunday.”

Ashdod, last season’s runnerup, also began the campaign with high hopes after reaching the final of the preseason Winner Cup.

However, like Jerusalem, it has also started the season with three consecutive losses.

All three of Ashdod’s defeats came by double figures, with Ofer Berkowitz’s team losing its encounters by an average 16 points and allowing a league worse 86.3 points per contest.

Also Sunday, Maccabi Tel Aviv visits Maccabi Haifa, Hapoel Eilat makes the long journey to Hapoel Gilboa/Galil and Hapoel Holon hosts Bnei Herzliya.

“I know our players will draw motivation from the challenge of facing an excellent team like Maccabi Tel Aviv,” said Haifa coach, Brad Greenberg.

“It is paramount that we play disciplined basketball because we are facing the deepest team in the league.”

The BSL’s two remaining unbeaten teams will be in action on Monday, with Maccabi Rishon Lezion hosting Hapoel Tel Aviv and Barak Netanya visiting Ironi Ashkelon.