Quality Gaps Decided the Game as Bnei Yehuda Rightfully Wins

Historic Cup Final at Bloomfield Stadium

On May 29, 2025, Bloomfield Stadium hosted the final of the Israeli State Cup for the 2024/25 season, attracting unprecedented demand for tickets and delivering an exceptional level of tension and excitement. The matchup featured an intense clash between Beitar Jerusalem, led by Barak Abramov, and Hapoel Be’er Sheva, under the ownership of Alona Barkat. Arriving early to absorb the atmosphere was certainly worthwhile, with vibrant displays from both fan bases and a remarkable show of support that began early and continued throughout the match.

Emotional Tributes and Game Context

The event included a poignant tribute to injured soldiers, along with a moment of silence in memory of Gidi Kinda, who was honored by fans filling the stadium. Beitar Jerusalem entered the match bruised from a disappointing recent loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv, while Be’er Sheva was looking to recover from losing the championship title just days before, fearing the loss of the coveted cup as well.

Match Summary: Be’er Sheva’s Quality Prevails

Ultimately, the quality gaps between the two teams were evident, enabling Be’er Sheva to claim victory. A rather average performance from Be’er Sheva proved enough to best a lackluster Beitar Jerusalem, with the former taking the lead in the first half through a successful penalty from Dan Biton, awarded after a handball by Adi Yona in the box.

Beitar Jerusalem struggled to make any offensive impact throughout the first half, narrowly avoiding a greater deficit as they went into the break trailing by a single goal. Following halftime, coach Barak Yitzhaki introduced Omri Atzili, which made Beitar’s play more dangerous due to the additional forward presence; however, their attempts remained disorganized and lacked precision in the final moments.

Be’er Sheva, despite a slowdown in their game during the second half, added a second goal late in the match thanks to a brilliant individual effort from Zahi Ahmad, whose shot found the net with assistance from Beitar’s goalkeeper, Silba. This goal sealed the deserved victory for Be’er Sheva.

Mixed Emotions: Performance Analysis

The match itself fell short of expectations, especially in light of the thrilling atmosphere among fans. Coach Barak Yitzhaki faced criticism for not fielding Omri Atzili in such a crucial match, particularly given the subpar performance from Yarden Shua, alongside a defensive unit that had been shaky throughout the season yet was relatively stable on this occasion.

The glaring issue for Beitar Jerusalem was a notstartably weak midfield. The players Adi Yona and Yarin Levi were outmatched by the duo of Kangwa and Ventura. Barak, who received accolades for his solid management until February, has seen his team’s performance and results drop significantly over the past three months, resulting in a bitter end to the season.

Looking Ahead: Be’er Sheva’s Future

On the upside, the night belonged to Raan Koozuk and Alona Barkat, who, despite narrowly missing out on the championship, managed to salvage their season with the cup victory. Key players such as Kangwa, Biton, Ventura, and Miguel Vitor were crucial in restoring hope to fans following a series of disappointing outcomes.

As Be’er Sheva prepares for next season, the focus will be on whether Alona can maintain the team’s competitive status in Israeli football and continue being a significant contender for the title. The existing squad will face challenges, particularly with the addition of European competitions.

This summer promises to be an intriguing start, beginning with Barkat’s smiling face as the team celebrates their cup win. It remains to be seen if this victory marks the first step toward a more prosperous campaign in European league play