Full Breakdown
Memorial Match Honors Late Israeli Striker Lior Asulin
By Drooid · · How we work
Background and Context
Lior Asulin, a former forward for Bnei Sakhnin who helped the club win the State Cup, was murdered at the Nova music festival three years ago. His death left a lasting void in Israeli football, prompting the club to organize a special memorial match to celebrate his life and career.
Key Figures
- Lior Asulin – Deceased former Bnei Sakhnin striker, remembered for his joyful personality and on-field partnership with Gabriel Lima.
- Gabriel Lima – Brazilian forward who played alongside Asulin for one season, forming a highly regarded attacking trio with Rafi Cohen. He traveled from Brazil to attend the tribute.
- Yasser (Sakhnin official) – The club contact who informed Lima of the memorial match and coordinated his participation.
- Moran Asulin – Asulin’s ex-wife, with whom Lima maintains occasional contact and plans to visit her children.
The Memorial Match
The event took place at Doha Stadium, featuring a team composed of Asulin’s close friends and family against Bnei Sakhnin’s historic State Cup-winning side. Lima described his immediate decision to fly to Israel after receiving Yasser’s call, emphasizing the emotional significance of the occasion. He recalled the deep on-field chemistry he shared with Asulin, noting that a single year of partnership felt like a decade. Throughout the match, spectators repeatedly shouted the nickname “Asulima” in tribute to the late striker.
Reactions and Reflections
Lima expressed profound sorrow upon learning of Asulin’s murder, recalling the shock and tears that followed the news. He highlighted Asulin’s generosity, recalling how the player returned to Brazil after a cup victory to stay with Lima before abruptly leaving to address a family issue in Israel. Lima also mentioned his ongoing involvement in sports, noting that he introduced footvolley to Israel in 2002 and now works with politicians while playing soccer only recreationally.
Impact and Legacy
The memorial match underscored Asulin’s enduring influence on teammates and fans alike, reinforcing his reputation as a joyful and selfless figure in Israeli football. Lima’s participation and public reflections helped revive memories of Asulin’s talent and character, while also drawing attention to the growing popularity of footvolley—a sport he helped popularize in Israel.