Lam, Benny

Benjamin Lam

Lam played with Maccabi Netanya in the early 1980s, and his powerful long distance shots were matchless. He also appeared in two games for the Israeli National team in 1980-1981.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. 1960

Career Highlights:
Lam was an 18-year old soldier when he made his debut during the 1977-78 season. He was sent on the field in the 85th minute in a game against against Maccabi Jaffa. Lam beat one defender and sent the ball hurtling in from outside the box for the winner. It was the first of his countless goals based on sheer power. In that first season as a pro, Benny played for one of Israel's most dominant sides of all-time. That year the Diamonds won the championship, the State Cup and the European Inter-toto cup.

By the time Netanya reached its 1980 championship triumph, Lam had established himself as a regular, and excelled by scoring nine goals and adding nine assists. Lam was a crucial contributor to the sublime 1981-82 Netanya side as the Diamonds amazed spectators with their skill and overpowering goal scoring, but lost out to Kfar Sava in the final stretch. In 1983, Netanya deservedly won the title and Benny was at his most creative, registering 12 assists and dazzling fans around the nation.

The 1982-83 team was the last Diamond side to win the title. Lam continued to star for Netanya for many years but they never got it together, sometimes even fighting relegation. In 1988, Netanya fought Hapoel Tel Aviv tooth-and-nail for the title. In the crucial game against Hapoel in their home stadium of Bloomfield, Lam missed an opportunity to score, which many Netanya fans felt cost the team the championship.

Lam was lambasted for his miss and left Netanya for Hapoel Ashdod of the second division. After two years he had a spell with the Arab team, Hapoel Taibe. His tireless midfield work helped Hapoel earn promotion in his first season there, but after a mediocre second year he called it quits at age 34. Lam then turned to coaching. He failed to win promotion with Netanya and is currently coaching Betar Tobruk.

Origin:
Netanya, Israel

Position:
Attacking midfielder

Career Statistics:
74 goals for Netanya (5th all time).

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