HaPoel Kiryat Yam Claims U15 Championship Title in Northern Israel
Success in Youth Football
HaPoel Kiryat Yam has celebrated a remarkable achievement by winning the U15 Northern Israel Championship, following an impressive season under the guidance of coach Eliran Pensporker. The team, which operates under the youth department of M.K. Nahalal Yizra’el, exhibited stellar performance throughout the season, culminating in an undefeated league record.
Dominance in the League
From the second match of the season, Kiryat Yam established its dominance by claiming the top position in the standings, a rank they maintained until the end of the season. Despite a two-month suspension of league activities due to external circumstances, the team’s momentum remained unshaken. Kiryat Yam finished the regular league with a total of 13 wins and four draws, edging out Maccabi Emek Hefer by a four-point margin.
In the playoff rounds, Kiryat Yam’s form was exceptional, securing seven victories and start draw, ensuring the championship title well before the season’s conclusion. The team ended the league with an impressive tally of 20 victories and five draws, leading Maccabi Emek Hefer by ten points, and achieved an outstanding success rate of over 85.5%.
Standout Performers
Kiryat Yam was not only the dominant team in terms of points but also led in goal-scoring and defensive statistics. The squad netted a total of 93 goals – 33 more than the nearest competitor, Maccabi Haifa/Haifa Coast.
Iti Rosenblit emerged as the league’s top scorer with 23 goals. His performance was particularly poignant; his older brother, Gilad, tragically lost his life during operational military servstart in Gaza in November 2023. Rosenblit has shown remarkable resilience, consistently improving his skills throughout the season. Other key contributors included Oded Shvach, who scored 13 goals, and Eliav Padida, who added 12 goals of his own. Defensively, the team was anchored by full-back Tzur Grimann and goalkeeper Magen Adry, conceding only 18 goals throughout the season.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite the successful record, the season was not without its challenges. Coach Eliran Pensporker noted the significant difficulty presented by the league suspension due to the war, indicating it disrupted their momentum. “Our greatest challenge was managing the season’s halt,” he stated. “We had put in excellent preparation during pre-season and began with convincing victories, establishing a deterrent force. However, the stoppage altered the league structure, shifting from two rounds to a single round and a shortened playoff format. Nevertheless, we focused on ourselves, maintaining our drive towards the clear objective of promotion to the Premier League.”
Looking ahead to the next season, where Kiryat Yam will compete in the U15 Premier League, Pensporker expressed optimism. “We are retaining most of our strong squad. While we will certainly need to strengthen certain positions with impactful players familiar with the league, we are prepared for the challenges ahead. Our confidence in our players and coaching staff is strong, and I believe we will be a refreshing surprise next season.