Hapoel Be’er Sheva Wins State Cup in Dramatic Fashion
H2: Cup Victory After Season Disappointment
Hapoel Be’er Sheva celebrated a significant triumph on Thursday night, securing the State Cup by defeating Beitar Jerusalem 2-0 at Bloomfield Stadium. This victory comes on the heels of a disappointing league season, where the team, despite leading for much of the campaign, ultimately fell short of the championship.
H2: Alona Barkat Reflects on the Season
Following the win, club owner Alona Barkat expressed her satisfaction. “I commend a wonderful season that at least ends with a title; we are very happy,” she stated, referring to the qualification for European competition, which adds to the excitement of the achievement. Barkat also paid tribute to Yair Horan, a fan of the team who returned from captivity, stating, “We pray for all hostages to return home quickly and that our soldiers come back safely. The people of Israel need good news, and I hope there will be.”
H2: Looking Ahead
Despite the cup win, Barkat acknowledged the disappointment of not clinching the league title, asserting, “We could have won the championship this year too, but unfortunately, we didn’t. We will strive to bring home that title next year.” She emphasized the hard work put forth by the team and their supporters, noting, “When you work hard and do your best, the results come. The fans gave an extraordinary display.”
H3: Commitment to Future Success
Looking forward to next season, Barkat assured fans that they would see a team filled with belief and determination, saying, “You will see a team that believes in itself, that presses, that works, and that all the parts give 100%.” On the decision to retain head coach Ran Kuzik despite early-season criticisms, Barkat commented, “I want to emphasize that we make decisions in life and hope they are good and correct.”
H3: Improvement Over Last Season
Reflecting on the performance compared to the previous season, she noted, “We didn’t see the same team as last year. This year we proved we can come to every game and play quality football.” Barkat expressed confidence in the coaching staff and players, declaring, “We will continue together next year with all our strength.”
H2: Criticism of the Football Association
In her remarks, Barkat also criticized the Israel Football Association, highlighting a lack of a repeat match against Bnei Sakhnin. “We are the only team that didn’t play, and we missed a game for the championship. With hand on my heart, I am very disappointed about that,” she said. Barkat reiterated her view that football outcomes should be determined on the pitch, expressing regret that the situation had reached this point.
As Hapoel Be’er Sheva revels in their cup victory, the club looks ahead, determined to tackle the challenges of the coming season with renewed vigor and ambition