Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv thrashed Hapoel Ramat Gan 4-0 tonight at Bloomfield Stadium in Matchday 3 of the Winner League. Debut goal for captain Mayembo.
Hapoel hosted Hapoel Ramat Gan tonight (Monday) at Bloomfield Stadium in Matchday 3 of the Winner League. Boosted by the resounding 3-0 victory over Beitar Jerusalem last Thursday and backed by tremendous support from the Red fans in the stands, the team maintained its positive momentum, cruised to a clean 4-0 win, and improved its tally to seven points with a 7-0 goal difference.
Throughout the 90 minutes, the Reds displayed complete control over the pitch. Despite clear superiority and patient ball movement, the first half was characterized by a congested defense from the visitors and ended goalless.
In the second half, Hapoel increased the pressure on the opponent's goal, and in the 57th minute the floodgates opened: Emmanuel Boateng scored Hapoel's opening goal of the match and his first league goal of the season to give Hapoel a 1-0 lead.
In the 74th minute, Andrian Kraev sent a brilliant through ball from the halfway line toward Douglas Owusu, who controlled it wonderfully and finished clinically past the goalkeeper—a second consecutive match in which Douglas scores to make it 2-0 to the Reds.
Hapoel's showcase continued towards the end. In the 86th minute, Omri Altman, who missed the clash against Beitar Jerusalem due to suspension, got straight back into action when he fired a sharp low cross that deflected off a Ramat Gan defender, deceived the goalkeeper, and went into the net to make it 3-0.
The icing on the cake arrived in stoppage time: Roy Korine delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, and captain Fernand Mayembo rose above everyone to power a header into the net for his first league goal in the Red colors, sealing a resounding 4-0 victory.
Hapoel Lineup: Assaf Tzur, Shahar Piven, Fernand Mayembo, Chico, Doron Leidner (Tal Archel – 76'), Lucas Falcao, Andrian Kraev, Stav Toriel (Omri Altman – 68'), Roei Alkukin (Mor Buskila – 76'), Douglas Owusu (Roy Korine – 76'), Emmanuel Boateng (Daniel Dappa – 62').
Referee: Gal Levi in front of 17,522 spectators at Bloomfield Stadium.
Hapoel's next match will take place next Monday (September 14), visiting Bloomfield Stadium for the Tel Aviv Derby in Matchday 4 of the Winner League. The match will kick off at 20:30.
Match Log
3': Douglas Owusu received the ball outside the box and attempted to surprise with a long-range shot, but his effort lacked power and went straight to Amit Reif, who handled it comfortably.
11': Shahar Piven received the ball on the right flank and whipped a precise cross into the center of the box, where Stav Toriel was waiting and headed just wide of the target.
19': Piven found Stav Toriel, who cut inside nicely toward the center and struck a low but accurate shot toward the near corner, which Reif reacted well to save.
32': Piven and Toriel combined for another opportunity, creating the Reds' best chance of the half: the right-back played a brilliant through ball to the winger, who cut inside and tried to find the far corner, but Reif produced a fantastic save.
45': Stav Toriel delivered a corner kick, and Emmanuel Boateng headed over the crossbar.
51': Douglas Owusu capitalized on a defensive blunder to win possession, drove all the way to the box, and set up Emmanuel Boateng nicely, who missed the chance one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
57': Goal! Hapoel Tel Aviv takes a 1-0 lead. The Reds orchestrated a fine attack with Owusu, who initially tried to play a ball into the box without success; the ball then reached Roei Alkukin, who delivered an outside-of-the-boot cross to find Emmanuel Boateng to tap in from close range.
74': Goal! Hapoel Tel Aviv makes it 2-0. The move started from a Hapoel Ramat Gan corner, but Barda's men launched a lethal transition attack; Andrian Kraev sent a wonderful pass to Owusu, who beat several defenders and slotted the ball into the net.
86': Goal! Hapoel Tel Aviv extends to 3-0. The ball reached Omri Altman inside the box and he sent a low cross that deflected off Dudi Twito for an own goal.
90+2': Goal! Hapoel Tel Aviv seals it at 4-0. Roy Korine received the ball on the right flank and delivered a perfect cross into the box; Fernand Mayembo joined the attack, took full advantage, and headed brilliantly into the net.
