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Soccer / Forgive us, Avi, for our sins By David Marouani Tags: Avi Nimni 1. Whoever built on Moshe Mishaelof as an ideal captain for Maccabi Tel Aviv doesn't seem to understand much about soccer. It's been two years that the defensive midfielder has held this title on and off, yet he still has failed to demonstrate the leadership required for such a position. Even the fact that in time he has gained the status of an experienced player despite his young age, and thanks to his mature appearance, has not caused him to get involved in the social fabric of his team. Monday morning, after the first practice under new manager Avi Nimni, Mishaelof snapped out of his normally anti-leadership stance and together with Dullee Johnson and Dragoslav Jevric initiated an impromptu players' meeting. "We've got to give more of ourselves," he urged his teammates. "We don't want to reach a situation where the greatest symbol of our club gets cursed by the crowd." Advertisement It looks as if the shake-up engineered by Aviv Bushinsky, Maccabi's chairman, is beginning to have the desired effect. For the first time since their appalling season began, the players realize that if they don't pitch in now they might as well throw in the towel. Even worse, they risk causing considerable damage to the most admired man to ever tread the pitch of the Kiryat Shalom training ground. The players' behavior during the official team meeting called by Nimni that preceded their own meeting attests to that awe. No one dared even to whisper as he addressed them. "I am confident in the current team's ability," he told them, "and I know every last one of you can give more of himself. There are players here who haven't given 40 percent. I have no doubt we will accomplish much." It was hard to see any significant changes during the practice itself, save for a band of fans who provided the manager with balloons and flowers. The fans guaranteed Nimni they would fill the stadium in Petah Tikva this Saturday to show their support. 2. Though one can only guess Nimni's tactical philosophy, his talks with club management indicate there won't be any more all-out defense. Whoever stands out in practice will play and get backing. That's the reason he has not announced the first team for the game against Hapoel Petah Tikva. The fact that Nimni insisted on keeping midfielder Jonathan Assous on the team, despite the reservations of former head coach Ran Ben Shimon, requires the manager to give a measure of priority to the Frenchman. Nimni does believe in his ability, but is expected to gradually work him into the starting lineup, given the paucity of playing time Assous had over the past month. 3. The surprise of the press conference in which Nimni was named manager was certainly the appointment of Marco Balbul as interim head coach. The assistant to Ben Shimon, who has spent most of his career in the shadow of other coaches, will continue handing out the high-fives and setting down the cones. In short, he will continue to remain an unsolvable riddle for everyone. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Never walk alone It's safe to assume that Obama won't abandon Israel. Apprehensive in Israel Rightist MK Aryeh Eldad warns 'Israel should be wary of Barack Obama'

Read & React Bradley Burston: For Republicans, 2 words of advice and comfort Responses: 244 Barack Obama: Change has come to America Responses: 139 Hamas vows to maintain truce, as 35 Qassams hit Negev Responses: 340 Editorial: U.S. election is example of democracy at its best Responses: 122 Arab commentators want to be able to admire America again Responses: 82 More Headlines 01:43 Gaza gunman killed in IAF strike on Qassam squad 01:47 Obama kick-starts transition, picks Rahm Emanuel as chief of staff 01:53 Rightist MK: Israel should be wary of Barack Obama 20:10 Iran: Obama's victory proves 'failure of Bush's policies' 21:56 ANALYSIS / It's safe to assume that Obama won't abandon Israel 00:13 Close to end of term, Rice embarks on Mideast peacemaking trip 21:54 Openly gay Jewish candidate makes history with Colorado win 21:57 Arab commentators want to be able to admire America again 14:56 ANALYSIS / Israel's dilemma: Obama vs. Qassams 15:02 Barack Obama wins 77 percent of Jewish vote, exit polls show 19:21 Golan residents launch PR offensive as Syria talks loom 15:49 Police trying to disperse East Jerusalem rioters in house demolition row Previous Editions Select Day 05 nov 04 nov 03 nov 02 nov 31 oct 30 oct 29 oct 28 oct 27 oct 26 oct 24 oct 23 oct

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