Israel's topsy-turvy table

Israeli fans are almost beholding a world turned upside down with three of the top local sides faring poorly as the league goes into its Yom Kippur break.

Impressive form
Champions Beitar Jerusalem FC began the season as they had ended the previous one with Itzhak Shum's charges winning all three of their games. While Beitar are leading the table, behind them, surprisingly, are promoted sides Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona FC and Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin FC while Maccabi Haifa FC, Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC and Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC are nowhere to be seen.

European survivors
Hapoel Tel-Aviv have earned just two points in their first three league games under Guy Luzon, although the fact that they are the only surviving Israeli club in European competition, facing Sweden's AIK Solna in the first round of the UEFA Cup, eases the coach's position. The same can hardly be said for the situations at Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

Levin appointed
Having gifted Andorran side FC Santa Coloma their first ever victory in European compeitition on 19 August, Maccabi Tel-Aviv picked up just one point from their first two league games, prompting general manager Avi Nimni to dismiss coach Eli Cohen. Nir Levin has taken his place, but a defeat in his first league game in charge has left his side in deep crisis.

No goals yet
Maccabi Haifa face Maccabi Tel-Aviv in their next game, with Roni Levy's side having lost all three of their games so far without scoring. The coach may be paying the price for seismic changes in his squad over the summer with striker Roberto Colautti joining VfL Bourusia Mönchengladbach while Alain Masudi and Xavier Dirceu left for FC Ashdod and Maccabi Petach-Tikva FC respectively.

Understanding owner
Luckily for Levy, club owner Yaacov Schahar is a lot more patient than his counterparts in Tel-Aviv. He recently attended a team meeting and told his players: "I will replace all of you before I will replace Roni Levy." Should Haifa equal the ignominious 1968/69 record and concede a fourth defeat then Schahar may have second thoughts.