Bnei Sakhnin Holds Emotional Memorial Match for Late Striker Lior Asulin
Bnei Sakhnin hosted a memorial match for former striker Lior Asulin, murdered at the Nova festival on October 7, 2023. Family members and officials gathered at Doha Stadium to honor his legacy.
Bnei Sakhnin held a touching memorial match on Tuesday at Doha Stadium to honor former striker Lior Asulin, who was murdered by Hamas terrorists at the Nova music festival in Re'im on October 7, 2023. The forward's family attended the event, where Sakhnin Mayor Mazen Ganaim formally apologized for the club's long silence following the tragedy.
Family Tribute and Apology
Speaking on behalf of the grieving family, Asulin's sister Ortal addressed the crowd with emotional words. "Lior came to celebrate his 43rd birthday at the Nova party in Re'im and was murdered there. For the past three years, we waited to hear from you, from the home he once had. The silence hurt, but your apology today, Mazen, rises above everything. Football can be a bridge, and we chose to remember Lior as a man who chose to connect and love," she stated.
"If there is one thing Lior taught us, it is that football can be a bridge." — Ortal Asulin
Israeli Football Association Chairman Shino Zuaretz also emphasized the unifying power of sports during the ceremony. He recalled Asulin's permanent smile during training sessions at Maccabi Petah Tikva, noting that football bridges gaps between all communities without political divisions.
Match Action and Legends
The special exhibition match featured Bnei Sakhnin veterans—including members of the historic 2004 State Cup-winning squad managed by Eyal Lahman—facing off against a team of Asulin's friends. Notable players on the pitch included Abbas Suan, Gabriel Lima, and Khaled Khalaila.
Mor Shaked opened the scoring for the friends' team, followed by goals from Yair Simhon and Nevo Mizrahi. Bnei Sakhnin veterans fought back with goals from Hamad Ganaim and Abd Rabah, but a late goal by Gabriel Lima in stoppage time was disallowed. The match ended in a 3-2 victory for Lior's friends.
A Storied Career
Lior Asulin was one of the most prominent strikers in Israeli football, beginning his career at Maccabi Herzliya before achieving his greatest success with Bnei Sakhnin by winning the 2004 State Cup. Throughout his career, he also played for Beitar Jerusalem, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Hapoel Beer Sheva, and several other clubs across the leagues.
