Lior Asulin is an up-and-coming forward with an undeniable knack for goal scoring. He was courted by several soccer teams at the beginning of the 2002-03 season, including Betar Jerusalem, but he signed with Maccabi Petah Tikva. Asulin played his debut season for Maccabi Herzelyia in the top division during the 1999-2000 season. That season, he deputized for legendary Hungarian forward Istvan Shalloi and made four goals. Herzelyia that year, however, had a disappointing season and was relegated at the season's end. During the 2000-01 campaign, Lior established himself as a starter in the second division. He set the league on fire in 2001-02, scoring 28 goals to lead the division in scoring and nearly carrying himself to promotion.