Dramatic Last-Minute Loss for Ironi Kiryat Shmona Against Maccabi Haifa

Match Overview

On Saturday, Ironi Kiryat Shmona hosted Maccabi Haifa with hopes of returning to winning ways. However, as has been the case multiple times this season, the team fell short, conceding a dramatic last-minute goal that left them heartbroken. Despite being in a position to win, Kiryat Shmona could not capitalize on their chances, ending the match with a mix of praise for their performance and disappointment over the result.

Key Moments

Kiryat Shmona started strong, applying pressure on Maccabi Haifa and pushing them deep into their own half. The players, coached by Shay Berda, demonstrated good form throughout the match but struggled with finishing, missing several key opportunities late in the game. The defining moment came when experienced player Aviv Abraham made a critical error, inadvertently passing the ball backward, which led to the winning goal for Maccabi Haifa just as stoppage time was concluding. Just moments before, Abraham had nearly scored the match-winner for his own team.

Emotional Aftermath

In the aftermath of the match, Aviv Abraham expressed his deep regret over the mistake. “I take full responsibility for the error. I wanted to win and felt I was entering the match well, but it was just bad luck,” he shared with teammates. “This may be the hardest moment of my career. I’ve never experienced anything like this, and I’m unsure how I’ll sleep tonight.”

Kiryat Shmona’s management acknowledged the loss as start of the most painful in the club’s recent history, potentially the most gut-wrenching since their relegation season. “Almost nobody slept last night; it breaks the heart,” a club representative stated. “These are the moments that make it hard to talk about football.”

Injury Update

The match also took a toll physically on the players, with midfielder Saku Ben’goura substituted due to hamstring pain. Additionally, Anthony Limbombe did not participate in the game and, according to reports, is expected to leave the club in January. There are opinions within the team that he should have been fielded, especially considering the limited squad depth available to coach Shay Berda.

As the team reflects on this crucial loss, they will need to regroup and address both their performance and squad challenges moving forward.