Estudiantes Tel Aviv has officially secured the IFLI2 championship, earning a dramatic promotion to the top tier of IFLI (International Football League of Israel) league system.
In true Estudiantes fashion, the club’s final match was filled with intensity, culminating in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Union Tel Aviv.
A goal and an assist from Faris Abdulrasul, including a late decisive pass to Uri Levy, sealed the result that ensured the Pincharrata finished first, ahead of Mulan and Inter Aliyah Club. The draw also marked an impressive nine-game unbeaten run for the team, capping off a stellar season.
Standout Performers Drive Estudiantes to Glory
Throughout the campaign, Terry Duru, Martin Michaelov, Daniel Ogunbunge, Hussein Abdulrasul, Osman Cissé, Tamir Biran, Faris Abdulrasul, and goalkeeper Dolev Atik all played pivotal roles in the team’s success.
Terry Duru stood out as a prolific forward, scoring 21 goals and providing six assists in 14 games, finishing as the league’s second-best scorer.
Faris Abdulrasul, another key attacking force, netted nine goals and contributed six assists.
Martin Michaelov led the league in assists, delivering 11 decisive passes throughout the season, and added six goals.
The midfield trio of Michaelov, Ogunbunge and Biran played a crucial creative role, contributing a combined 15 goals and 26 assists out of the team’s 67 goals.
Notably, three Estudiantes players—Michaelov (6 goals, 11 assists), Daniel (3 goals, 6 assists), and Biran (5 goals, 9 assists)—ended the season with more assists than goals, a rare feat achieved by only four players in the entire league.
Another player who performed throughout the season was goalkeeper Dolev Atik, who stopped three penalties in one match and kept two clean sheets.
Every Saturday, someone else shone for the team.
A Long-Awaited Return to IFLI1
The championship victory marks the completion of a four-year journey for founders and coaches Eliel Nehmad and Udy Grimberg, whose mission to return Estudiantes Tel Aviv to IFLI1 has now been realised. This title is the fifth in the club’s history, since its founding in 2017, and the team is already setting sights on further success at the higher levels.
More Than Just Football
Beyond their achievements on the pitch, Estudiantes Tel Aviv embodies the power of football as a unifying force. The club brings together local residents, Olim Hadashim (Jewish immigrants), asylum seekers, and players from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from Latin America, Africa, and various religious communities—Muslims, Jews, and Christians—forming a truly inclusive and inspiring club.
Editorial Note: BabaGol has proudly been among the sponsors and supporters of this remarkable project over the past three years.
Congratulations, Mabruk, Felicitaciones, and Mazal Tov to Estudiantes Tel Aviv! DALE LEON!
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