This evening, Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv will host M.S. Ashdod at Bloomfield Stadium in the final Group B fixture of the Toto Cup. Ahead of kickoff, we’ve gathered all the key facts, statistics, and historical insights you should know.

Hapoel enters the match with 6 points from three games (goal difference: 5–4). A victory over Ashdod, combined with dropped points by Maccabi Netanya in their parallel match against Hapoel Jerusalem, would secure the Red Demons a place in the semi-finals.

Ashdod, meanwhile, arrive from the southern port city with just a single point—following one draw and two defeats—holding a goal difference of 2–6.

Match Information

The History Books

Hapoel and Ashdod have faced each other 13 times in the Toto Cup to date. One of the most memorable encounters came in 2002, when the two sides met in the competition’s final. Hapoel emerged victorious that day, defeating Ashdod and lifting the Toto Cup—a significant title etched into the club’s history.

Head-to-Head Record (Toto Cup):

At Bloomfield (Hapoel Home Record):

Over the years, Hapoel Tel Aviv and M.S. Ashdod have produced several decisive Toto Cup clashes. A highlight remains May 14, 2002, when the two clubs met in the Toto Cup Final. Hapoel delivered a commanding 4–2 win, with goals from Ben Luz (39’), Kfir Udi (44’), Salim Toama (61’), and an own goal in the 85th minute sealing the trophy.

Hapoel’s largest Toto Cup victory over Ashdod came on August 8, 2018, a 3–0 win at the Yud-Alef Stadium courtesy of goals by Nir Lakis (15’), Ahmad Abed (37’), and Omer Damari (52’).

Their most recent Toto Cup meeting was on August 8, 2023, when Hapoel traveled to Ashdod but suffered a 1–0 defeat.

Today (Thursday), following the team’s training session, an emotional ceremony was held at the Hodorov training complex in memory of Hezi Yaakobi – a devoted fan who tragically passed away from cardiac arrest during a match last season.

Yaakobi family, generously donated and installed a defibrillator at the training facility to be used by the club in case of emergency.

In recent months, the family launched a fundraising campaign to honor Hezi’s memory in a meaningful way – and successfully reached their goal, thanks in large part to the warm embrace and support of Hapoel fans.

Sharon Yaakobi, Hezi’s widow, gave a short demonstration to the players and coaching staff on how to use the device – aiming to raise awareness and potentially save lives.

Club CEO Guy Primor, team manager Salim Tuama, and club captain Fernand Mayembo presented the family with a special gift on behalf of the club – as a token of appreciation for their moving and important gesture.

Forever remembering Hezi | Together, always ♾️❤️

The young goalkeeper joins the senior women’s squad: “I come with great motivation to work hard, grow, and lead the team alongside my teammates to significant achievements.”

Maya De Russo has signed a three-year contract with the club and has begun preparations for the upcoming season with the senior team.

De Russo, 19, arrives from M.S. Kiryat Gat, where she played for the girls’, youth, and senior squads. She made her first appearances in the Israeli Women’s Premier League with the reigning champions during the 2022/23 season, and to date has featured in 16 senior matches across all competitions.

Following her signing, De Russo said: “I’m happy and proud to join Hapoel Tel Aviv, and I’m grateful for the warm welcome and the trust placed in me. I’m entering the new season with strong motivation to work hard, develop, and lead the team with my teammates to meaningful accomplishments. I’m looking forward to all the challenges and experiences ahead. Yalla Hapoel!”

Good luck, Maya!

Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv suffered its first loss of the season this evening, falling 3–0 to Maccabi Netanya in Matchday 4 of the Toto Cup Group B stage.

Hapoel arrived at the Netanya Stadium on Tuesday night with a perfect record after two group stage matches, aiming to maintain the team's strong start to the season.

Head coach Eliniv Barda opted to stick with the same starting lineup that produced a convincing 3–0 win over Hapoel Jerusalem last week, hoping for another positive result.

Andrian Kraev, the Bulgarian midfielder and new signing, made his debut for Hapoel when he came on in the 65th minute.

The Reds controlled the pace of the first half and came close to breaking the deadlock when Daniel Dappa’s powerful header struck the crossbar. Despite their dominance, the teams headed into halftime in a goalless draw.

The second half, however, told a different story. Hapoel struggled to recapture the momentum and lost control of the match. The hosts capitalized on their chances and scored three times to hand Hapoel its first defeat of the competition.

With one match remaining in the group stage, Hapoel currently sits in second place in Group B with six points and a goal difference of 5–4. In the final round, the team will host M.S. Ashdod in a decisive match. A victory, combined with dropped points by Maccabi Netanya, could secure Hapoel a place in the Toto Cup semi-finals.

Hapoel Lineup:
Asaf Tzur, Shahar Piven (Amit Lemkin – 73’), Fernand Mayembo (Captain), Or Israelov, Yazan Nassar (Ziv Morgan – 46’), Lucas Falcao, Roy Alcouquin (Andrian Kraev – 65’), Ran Benjamin, Stav Toriel, Roy Korine (Liran Rotman – 38’), Daniel Dappa (Omri Altman – 65’)

Referee: Gal Leibovitz
Venue: Netanya Stadium (Meri Stadium)

Match Events

3’ – Toriel delivered a free-kick into the box, Benjamin rose for the header but missed the target.

38’ – Just one minute after coming on, Liran Rotman created a promising chance with a strong shot to the corner, but Niron was alert and made the save.

40’ – Hapoel’s best chance of the match: Toriel sent in a pinpoint corner to Dappa, who headed from five meters out, only to be denied by the crossbar.

56’ – 1–0 to Maccabi Netanya.

84’ – 2–0 to Maccabi Netanya.

89’ – 3–0 to Maccabi Netanya.

Next Match:
Hapoel will return to Bloomfield Stadium this Saturday (August 9) to host M.S. Ashdod in the fifth and final round of the Toto Cup group stage. Kick-off is set for 20:30.

Match Preview | Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv Travels to Maccabi Netanya for Toto Cup MD4 Clash

Undefeated in the Group, the Reds Look to Maintain Momentum Against Netanya

Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv continues its Toto Cup campaign on Tuesday evening with an away fixture at Maccabi Netanya, as part of Matchday 4 in Group B. Sitting at the top of the group with a perfect record, the Reds aim to extend their winning streak and solidify their position at the summit of the table.

After two convincing performances, Hapoel arrives in Netanya full of confidence. The campaign opened with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Hapoel Petah Tikva at the Moshava Stadium. Daniel Dapa leveled the score, before Stav Torial secured all three points with a late winner in the 87th minute.

The momentum carried over into the second match, where Hapoel hosted its first official home game of the season at Bloomfield Stadium, defeating Hapoel Jerusalem 3-0. Torial once again led the charge with a superb brace, and Dapa added another to his tally in a dominant display from start to finish.

On the other side, Maccabi Netanya also completed two group stage fixtures. The Diamonds opened their campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Ashdod SC, followed by a dramatic 3-2 victory over Hapoel Petah Tikva in Matchday 3 at the Moshava.

Match Information
Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Kick-off: 20:00
Competition: Toto Cup, Group B – Matchday 4
Venue: Netanya Stadium
Referee: Gal Leibovitz
Assistant Referees: Yossi Babiuf, Daniel Ben Hur
Fourth Official: Aviel Levy
Broadcast: Sport 4 HD

Toto Cup Head-to-Head: A Storied Rivalry

Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Netanya share a long-standing rivalry in the Toto Cup, having clashed 13 times in the competition’s history. Their encounters have produced tightly contested battles, dramatic goals, and surprising outcomes—traits expected once again in the upcoming fixture.

Overall Record – Toto Cup Only:

As the Visiting Team (Hapoel in Netanya):

Historic Encounters – Highlights from the Archive

📅 September 13, 1986 – The first-ever Toto Cup meeting between the two sides was held at Bloomfield Stadium as part of the second round of the group stage. Maccabi Netanya went 2-0 up in the first half, with Hapoel’s Moshe Sinai pulling one back in the 43rd minute. The final score: 2-1 to Netanya.

📅 August 23, 2002 – Sixteen years later, the teams met again at Bloomfield, where Hapoel delivered their largest Toto Cup victory over Netanya with a resounding 4-0 win. Omri Afek opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, followed by goals from Pini Balili (72’) and a brace by Salim Toama (77’, 90’).

📅 August 11, 2021 – The most recent Toto Cup encounter was held at Netanya Stadium. Hapoel edged a dramatic 2-1 win, with Ofek Biton netting the decisive goal in the 80th minute.

Hapoel Tel Aviv’s main sponsor, IBI Investment House, is strengthening its partnership with the club: Open a self-managed trading account with IBI Smart and receive a season ticket for Hapoel Tel Aviv Football Club.

The investment house will purchase up to 500 new season tickets - in a record-breaking year for ticket sales.

IBI Investment House, the main sponsor of Hapoel Tel Aviv Football Club, is deepening its collaboration with the team and, for the first time, launching a unique offer for football and investment enthusiasts: Open a new trading account via the IBI Smart app and receive a season ticket for all of Hapoel Tel Aviv’s home matches in the 2025/26 season. As part of the initiative, IBI will purchase up to 500 new season tickets from the club for new customers - in a season that has already set an all-time record of 12,000 season ticket holders.

Dave Lubetzky, CEO of IBI Investment House, said: ״With this step, IBI is expanding its cooperation with the team beyond sponsorship, increasing its support for Hapoel in a way that benefits all parties and strengthens Israeli sports. Together, we’re setting a new benchmark for the club’s season ticket sales״.

Right-back from Ramat HaSharon joins the squad: "Excited to start a new chapter, confident we’ll have a strong team that will meet our goals."

Defender Shoval Kedoshim has signed with the club for one season, with an option for an additional year.

Kedoshim (21) has spent her entire career with Ramat HaSharon, from the youth ranks through to the senior team. Over the past five seasons in the Israeli Premier League, she made her mark with the senior squad, recording 12 appearances in all competitions last season.

Following the signing, Kedoshim said:
"I’m happy to begin a new chapter at a big club like Hapoel Tel Aviv, and it’s an honor to be part of it. We have a challenging season ahead, and I believe we’ll have a strong team capable of achieving our main goal this year. Yalla Hapoel!"

Good luck, Shoval!

The young goalkeeper secures his future at Hapoel: “A significant and exciting step for me, but for me this is just the beginning”

Dor Binyamini has signed a new four-year contract with the club and will wear the goalkeeper’s jersey at least until the end of the 2028/29 season.

Binyamini (20) joined the club ahead of the 2023/24 season after three years in Maccabi Petah Tikva’s youth academy, and in that same season led our youth team.

This past season, he was part of the senior squad and made his first-team debut on the final matchday of the season, keeping a clean sheet in a win over Hapoel Kfar Saba.

Dor is a member of Israel’s Olympic national team and made his debut in a friendly against Bulgaria this past June. He has also made appearances for the U18 and U19 national teams.

After signing, Binyamini said: “I’m the happiest person in the world to sign a long-term deal with this great club, which is also my home. It’s a significant step for me, and I’m sure this is just the beginning. I’m grateful to the club for the trust — now it’s my time to repay it on the pitch, keep working hard, improve every day, and give everything for the badge. Yalla Hapoel!”

Good luck, Dor!

The Bulgarian national team midfielder landed in Israel, signed his contract, and held his first training session: ״Excited to be here, can’t wait to meet the fans״

Andrian Kraev has signed a three-year contract with the club, following the completion of his transfer from Portuguese side Casa Pia. The player arrived in Israel this morning and took part in his first training session in red this evening. Kraev will wear the number 6 shirt.

Kraev (26) is a central midfielder standing at 1.94 meters tall. Last season, he played for Casa Pia in Portugal’s top division, making 27 appearances across all competitions and ranking among the league leaders in aerial and defensive duels.

Before his time in Portugal, Andrian spent four seasons at Bulgarian club Levski Sofia, where he served as team captain and made 109 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists.

Over the past three years, Kraev has also become a key figure for the Bulgarian national team, earning 13 caps.

Following his signing, Kraev said: "I’m happy to be here and excited to join a big club like Hapoel Tel Aviv. I’ve seen videos of the fans and I can’t wait to meet them and play for them. Thanks to the staff for the warm welcome — Yalla Hapoel!

Good luck, Andrian!

The experienced defender will continue with the senior team for another two seasons: "I’m determined to help the team achieve its goals"

Shai Perl has signed with the club for two more years and will continue to lead the team’s defensive line.

28-year-old Perl joined us last year and made 24 appearances in all competitions. In the past, she played for SC Sand in Germany, Hapoel Petach Tikva (three stints), the Girls' Football Academy, Maccabi Kishronot Ramat Hasharon (two stints), and Hapoel Ra’anana. In the 2019/20 season, she won the Israeli Championship with Ramat Hasharon.

She has 18 caps with the Israeli senior national team and also played for the youth national teams earlier in her career.

Following the signing, Perl said: "I'm happy and excited to continue in the red uniform. I’m ready for the challenges ahead and determined to help the team reach its goals."

Good luck, Shai!