Hapoel Be’er Sheva Triumphs Over Hapoel Haifa, Expands Lead in League

In a closely contested match, Hapoel Be’er Sheva secured a 1-2 victory against Hapoel Haifa on Saturday evening, temporarily increasing their lead at the top of the league table over rival Maccabi Tel Aviv by three points. The intense focus now shifts to Maccabi Tel Aviv, who will face Beitar Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium on Monday.

Coach Reactions Post-Match

Following the match, Hapoel Haifa’s head coach, Roni Levy, expressed disappointment despite the strong performance from his team. “We were in the game throughout. This is a very frustrating loss, as we could have fetched more from it. Nevertheless, I am proud of my players; they are committed and give their all, even in tough circumstances.” He highlighted the need for better decision-making in the final third, noting their struggle against a solid defensive setup. “Maccabi Tel Aviv is a very strong team; we will recover and prepare ourselves in the most serious and effective way possible.”

Meanwhile, the leader’s coach, Ran Kozuch, reflected on the game as comprising three parts. “We started the first half excellently with our principles, but then there was a careless mistake that allowed them back into the game. The second half was dreadful for us.” He reassured his squad by stating he needed to calm them down and emphasized the importance of controlling the ball rather than allowing the game to become chaotic. “Maccabi Tel Aviv is not my concern. Hapoel Be’er Sheva is,” he declared.

Injury Updates and Future Plans

On the team’s fitness front, Kozuch commented on player Ventura, who suffered an injury, stating, “Ventura has a foot injury, and we will evaluate him tomorrow. If he is not fit, we have a sufficiently strong lineup.” He acknowledged the importance of building the roster and gaining support from fans, asserting his belief in the team’s ability to contend for the championship.

Tami Arbel, who netted the equalizer for Hapoel, shared his sentiments post-game, stating, “It’s a great feeling to score my first goal, but it is frustrating not to secure points from the match. We lacked a bit of luck and focus, and it could have turned out differently.” He expressed his determination to keep working hard in pursuit of a top-four finish and his desire to remain with the club.

Key Contributions from Players

Mattey Biltaxa, who played a pivotal role in the victory, remarked, “Once the halftime whistle blew, everything that came before was in the past. We felt good at the break, but we cannot afford to feel comfortable, and we paid for that before the halftime whistle.” He emphasized the significance of scoring at the right time and contributed to the vital three points that bolster their momentum. “I am happy to be here, and I give everything in every training session. I want to bring joy to our fans,” he concluded.

Hapoel Be’er Sheva looks poised to maintain its lead despite any challenges that may arise in the upcoming fixtures as the championship race intensifies