Beitar Nordia Crowned Champions of Youth League in Shfela District
Season Overview
The Youth League in the Shfela District provided an exhilarating contest for the championship title, culminating in the final round on May 23, 2025. The league featured 18 teams and ran through 34 match days, with Beitar Nordia Jerusalem and Hapoel Marmorek of Rishon Lezion vying closely for the top spot until the last round. The intricate scheduling issues, caused by the disbandment of two teams, meant that in the final two match days, start of the title contenders missed out on playtime.
Final Match Highlights
In the penultimate round, Beitar Nordia found themselves outside the game, while Hapoel Marmorek concluded their league journey a week earlier with a dominant 9-0 win against Maccabi Be’er Sheva. Entering the final match, Marmorek led by two points and had a game in hand over Beitar Nordia, who faced Ironi Beit Shemesh, currently in fifth place.
Beitar Nordia captured the championship with a resounding 5-0 victory over Ironi Beit Shemesh. The game unfolded with remarkable precision as Adi Shahar, the league’s top scorer, stole the spotlight with a hat trick. He scored twstart in the first half-first, capitalizing on a defensive blunder, followed by a header from a corner kick.
The second half progressed with a decisive moment when Beitar Nordia was awarded a penalty due to a handball in Beit Shemesh’s box. Shahar successfully converted this to complete his hat trick, marking his 43rd goal of the season, extending Beitar Nordia’s lead to 3-0. Omar Koumbar added another goal with a precise strike from about 17 meters, while Elior Mariani sealed the score with a start-on-start finish against the opposing goalkeeper.
Future Prospects
The victory not only crowned Beitar Nordia as champions but also secured their promotion to the national league. The club’s 2011 youth generation is set to compete in the upcoming national league for their age group, while the 2010 cohort will enter the national league for the B age category, a direct result of their successful campaign.
Reflections from the Coach
Natanal Braska, head coach of Beitar Nordia, commented on the challenging season, particularly the competitive pressure from Marmorek. He emphasized the importance of focusing on their own performance rather than that of their rivals. He said, “We clearly conveyed to our players to concentrate on ourselves, and over time we closed the gaps.” The team successfully navigated the challenges presented throughout the season, even after the departures of two key players to Beitar Jerusalem.
In closing, Braska expressed gratitude toward his assistant Naor Hanuka and the club’s technical director, Mano Dehan, highlighting their significant contributions to the team’s success. “It was a remarkable achievement at the end of an exciting season where we ensured to keep ourselves grounded and motivated,” he stated.
This season’s performance underscores Beitar Nordia’s potential and vision for the future, clearly indicating a promising trajectory for the club