Rosen, Yossi

Yossef Rosen

Rosen is a particularly useful sort of central midfielder, as he combines defensive attributes with offensive skills. He dominates the heart of midfield with both impressive work rate and creative vision. Despite his obvious quality, Yossi faces a wide range of competition for international caps (appearances) and has only appeared twice for the Israeli national team (as of September 26, 2004). The playmaker plays for Hapoel Tel-Aviv in the Israeli Premier League.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. October 13, 1979

Career Highlights:
Rosen came up through the fertile Hapoel Petah Tikva youth system of the 90's. During his younger days, Yossi appeared 9 times in the Israeli national youth team. By the 1997-98 season, the teenage player had broken into the first team squad. The midfielder scored his first goal in the 1998-99 campaign as Hapoel finished sixth in the league.

His first major contribution to the "blues" was in the 1999-2000 season. Scoring three goals and starting often, Rosen was acknowledged nationwide as a bright prospect while making the Olympic national team. Partly inspired by their young generation, Petah Tikva finished a lofty third in the league. In the subsequent campaign (2000-01), Rosen was unable to establish himself as a starter but did open 8 games while making 16 appearances as a sub.

Yossi formed an impressive midfield partnership with Ansh Demirovich of Bosnia in the 2001-02 season. He started 26 of 33 league games, scored 3 goals and made as many assists. On February 13, 2002, Rosen won his first cap as Israel lost 7-1 to Germany. Petah Tikva placed sixth in the league and advanced to the latter stages of the State Cup. The playmaker scored the only goal in Hapoel's 1-0 round of sixteen victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv, but they were eliminated in the semifinals by Maccabi Tel Aviv. Rosen was on superb scoring form in the 2002-03 season. He scored 8 league goals while passing for two assists in 31 appearances. Despite his good form, the lack of quality forwards meant that Hapoel finished eighth in the Israeli Premier League.

The midfield dynamo was part of an unsuccessful attempt at rebuilding in Hapoel Tel Aviv during the 2003-04 season. Despite the general uninspired showing of his new team, Rosen was his usual effective self. He started 25 league games and appeared as a sub four times, scoring 2 goals while making 5 assists. The "reds" finished fifth in the league amid seemingly endless infighting.

Origin:
Petah Tikva, Israel

Career Dates:
Player: 1998-

Position:
Central midfield

Career Statistics:
2 caps

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