Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv opened the second round of the Winner League with a dramatic 2:2 draw against Hapoel Kiryat Shmona. Stav Toriel and Roei Alkukin both scored and assisted one another.
Hapoel began the match at a high tempo, applying early pressure on the northern side in the fixture that marked the start of the league’s second round.
The dominance was reflected as early as the seventh minute. A superb cross from Stav Toriel found Roei Alkukin, who bundled the ball home to give Hapoel an early lead. It was Alkukin’s third league goal of the season.
The Reds continued to control proceedings, with Daniel Dappa getting into several promising positions but unable to extend the advantage. The first half ended with a 0:1 lead for Hapoel.
Early in the second half, another impressive team move followed. A perfectly weighted through ball from Dappa put Alkukin and Toriel through on goal. The young midfielder selflessly set up Toriel, who made no mistake and scored his ninth league goal of the season to double the lead.
In the 78th minute, a VAR intervention changed the course of the match. Alkukin was shown a red card, forcing Hapoel to play the closing stages with ten men.
The drama reached its peak deep into an unusually long stoppage time that lasted no less than 17 minutes. In the 98th minute, a penalty was awarded to the home side following a foul that was ruled to have occurred outside the box. The penalty was converted, and the match ended in a 2:2 draw.
Following the draw, Hapoel sit fourth in the table with 22 points and a goal difference of 26:18.
Hapoel lineup:
Assaf Tzur, Shahar Piven, Fernand Mayembo (captain), Chico Alves, Yazan Nassar, Andrian Kraev, Lucas Falcao (El Yam Kancepolsky, 89), Roei Alkukin (sent off, 78), Stav Toriel (Mor Buskila, 69) (Ziv Morgan, 81), Loizos Loizou (Ari Cohen, 89), Daniel Dappa (Omri Altman, 69).
Referee: Gal Levy at Miriam Stadium, Netanya.
Hapoel’s next match will take place next Saturday (20/12), when they host Maccabi Bnei Reineh at Bloomfield Stadium in Round 15 of the Premier League. Kickoff is scheduled for 15:00.
Match Events
7th minute. Goal. Hapoel Tel Aviv take a 1:0 lead.
Lucas Falcao won the ball, played it to the right for Stav Toriel, who delivered a low cross. Roei Alkukin finished first time, sending the ball past Daniel Tenenbaum and into the net.
18th minute.
Loizou surged down the left flank and found Daniel Dappa completely unmarked inside the box in a one on one situation against Tenenbaum. The young striker struck the ball, but the visiting goalkeeper made the save.
44th minute.
A quick Hapoel attack developed down the left through Yazan Nassar. The full back entered the box and had the option to square the ball, but chose a powerful shot on target. Daniel Tenenbaum parried.
51st minute. Goal. Hapoel Tel Aviv go up 2:0
Daniel Dappa played a brilliant through ball, putting Roei Alkukin and Stav Toriel clean through on goal against Tenenbaum. Alkukin returned the favor from the first half with a selfless pass, and Hapoel’s leading scorer calmly rolled in his ninth league goal of the season.
55th minute.
Another big chance for Dappa, who narrowly missed. Toriel delivered a sharp free kick to the perfect area, and the young striker volleyed first time over the crossbar.
57th minute.
2:1.
67th minute.
A huge opportunity for Luizuo, who received the ball following a steal by Falcao, entered the box and fired a powerful shot. Tenenbaum saved, the rebound deflected dangerously toward his own goal off a defender, but the goalkeeper reacted again and pushed it out for a corner.
78th minute.
Roei Alkukin was sent off with a red card following a VAR review.
90+8th minute.
A penalty is awarded to Kiryat Shmona, who score from the spot. 2:2
