Although the games came about 6 weeks apart, Josue once again dominated the pitch just as Josue knows how, by scoring goals and controlling the play for Hapoel Beer Sheva.

Back in July, Josue put his stamp on the Israel State Cup with a goal and an assist and on Thursday night he almost single handily dominated Dinamo Batumi with a pair of spectacular strikes. The only difference between the games was his kit number going from #27 to the coveted #10 just like the best of them. Elyaniv Barda, the club’s assistant coach gave him the shirt and promised that he would score a goal in his honor and that’s exactly what he did. However, it wasn’t just one, but two.

A number of years ago I bought a great book on a football trip to Italy called “10” which featured all of the greats who played the position while some wore the number. From Giuseppe Meazza, Pele and Eusebio to Maradona, Roberto Baggio and Francesco Totti, all had the flair, character and guile which are characteristics found in Beer Sheva’s new #10 Josue.

WHAT. A. GOAL. Josue in action! WOW! Hapoel Beer Sheva’s star is spectacular! pic.twitter.com/V6f88Q8yqj

— Sports Rabbi (@thesportsrabbi) August 27, 2020

Ironically his first goal came ten minutes into the game when he so beautifully sent a left footed dipper into the Georgian goal while his second was a free kick that no one in the world would have stopped in a million years. Sandwiched in between his markers was a fluky goal by Marwan Kabha, but who really cares how his ball caromed behind the Batumi keeper Mikheil Alavidze. The show was all Josue’s once again.

Josue constantly calls for the ball, looks to take the lead and ranks out his teammates with Shir Tzedek being one of his constant targets, when he doesn’t like what he sees or doesn’t get service. He’s a winner plain and simple. He plays as a forward, a midfielder and a defender, the only position he didn’t play was goalkeeper. But that doesn’t matter much. He seems to do everything and anything else on the field of play.

There perhaps, just perhaps hasn’t been such a star in the Israeli league since Eran Zahavi should I even dare to say or compare the Portuguese sensation to the Israeli star striker. But yes, he’s that good or perhaps even better.

Josue is the hot dog complete with mustard and relish all wrapped up in a bun ready to devour. And who wouldn’t want to devour such a player?

Josue free kick delight for Beer Sheva! Wow! https://t.co/BxlpglKm9c

— Sports Rabbi (@thesportsrabbi) August 27, 2020

He stands and taunts the opposition at every opportunity, whether it’s before a free kick with just five minutes left in a game that was done a half hour earlier, or just plain and simple runs his mouth the way they say basketball players do, trash talking with the best of them.

On Monday, Beer Sheva will find out who their next opponent will be in Europa League second round qualifying, but no matter who the southern side is drawn against, Josue will be up to the challenge. He’s never met one he doesn’t like, especially when it’s a do or die or backs against the wall. That is when he shows up and does the most damage.

But before Monday’s draw you can check Josue out once again on Sunday when he opens the Israeli league season when Hapoel Beer Sheva kicks off against Maccabi Netanya. I implore you to turn on your TV sets at 8pm Israel time, or find a link to watch him in action. You definitely won’t be sorry.

Other Europa League Action
Beitar Jerusalem crashed out of continental play by falling to Teuta 2-0 in Albania. Maccabi Haifa’s first round match against Željezničar match was postponed due to players on the Bosnian club having contracted the coronavirus.