Dramatic Late Victory for Hapoel Tel Aviv Over Hapoel Be’er Sheva

Hapoel Tel Aviv delivered a thrilling performance at Bloomfield Stadium, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory against Hapoel Be’er Sheva, thanks to a last-minute goal by Amit Lamkin in the 97th minute. This result not only marked a critical win for Tel Aviv following a painful defeat in the derby but also benefited Beitar Jerusalem, who finished the round in first place.

Match Overview

The match began with a slight delay due to flares thrown onto the pitch but quickly picked up pace. By the fourth minute, Hapoel Tel Aviv took the lead when Or Belorian passed the ball backward to Niv Eliasi, who mishandled it. Lavi Lizo seized the opportunity, intercepting the ball and calmly scoring past the Be’er Sheva goalkeeper.

First Half Highlights

Despite several near misses from Tel Aviv, the first half was primarily marked by a series of injuries. Be’er Sheva lost their player, Lader Lopes, and Savy Toriel, who had just signed a contract extension, did not finish the half.

Second Half Action

The second half saw a resurgence from Be’er Sheva, with Kings Kangwa hitting the crossbar early on and a controversial penalty appeal for Dan Bitton that went ungranted. Be’er Sheva’s persistence paid off in the 55th minute when a brilliant play from Eliel Peretz resulted in a cross to Sambi, who found the net, equalizing the score.

As the match continued, Be’er Sheva created multiple chances, including a close call with Amir Ganach hitting the woodwork. With the clock winding down, it appeared the teams were on track for a draw, especially after another potential penalty for Bitton was waved off in the 89th minute.

Late Drama

However, in a dramatic resolution, seven minutes into stoppage time, a play initiated by Liran Rotman in the penalty area culminated in a pass to Amit Lamkin. The young midfielder fired a shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner, securing a crucial victory for Tel Aviv.

Looking Ahead

This victory brings a sigh of relief for Hapoel Tel Aviv, especially in light of the injuries to Toriel and Piven, as they prepare for another derby match scheduled for Monday, where they hope to avenge their recent cup loss. On the other hand, Be’er Sheva will aim to get back on track when they host Hapoel Kiryat Shmona this coming Saturday.