Local Soccer: Betar needs a win badly to stay close to the pack

Midfielder Idan Tal: "We need to return to be the daunting Betar, which no team wants to come up against."

By ALLON SINAI
Betar 298.88 (photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Betar 298.88
(photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Betar Jerusalem enters Saturday's match at Ironi Kiryat Shmona knowing that any result other than a win could see the team fall as many as nine points behind top-of-the-table Maccabi Netanya with the season less than two months old. The two-time reigning champion started the season with a two point deduction and, by winning just one of its first four league matches, has dug itself a hole which is increasing the pressure on Reuven Atar's men as well as boosting the confidence of the other title contenders. "We should all be playing better," Betar midfielder Idan Tal said on Thursday ahead of his side's long road trip up north. "We need to return to be the daunting Betar, which no team wants to come up against. So far our game hasn't flowed, but I believe that will come soon. We've been training well and I'm sure the hard work will soon pay off." Kiryat Shmona scored its first goal of the season last week, defeating Bnei Yehuda 1-0 on the road, and was one of the league's better home team's last season. "We have the best players in the country on our team and as soon as things begin to click we will play much better," Tal said. "It's never easy to play in Kiryat Shmona, but I hope we will return home with the three points." Maccabi Haifa, which drew 1-1 with Betar at Teddy Stadium last week, is still within striking distance of Netanya and could overtake Lothar Matthaus' side with a home victory over Maccabi Petah Tikva on Saturday. Netanya only visits Maccabi Tel Aviv on Sunday, meaning a win for Elisha Levy's men will put Haifa in first position, at least for 24 hours. "We need to win this match to prove we really are a good team," Levy said on Thursday. "We're facing a difficult match. Petah Tikva is a tough nut to crack, but we need to win this match, especially as we're playing at home." Petah Tikva, which defeated Hakoach Amidar Ramat Gan 1-0 last week, is tied on points with Haifa and has conceded just one goal so far this season. Also Saturday, Hakoach hosts Bnei Sakhin and Bnei Yehdua goes to Hapoel Petah Tikva still searching for its first victory of the season. On Monday, Hapoel Tel Aviv, fresh off its UEFA Cup trip to Saint-Etienne, visits Ashdod SC.