Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv defeated Hapoel Be'er Sheva 1-0 away tonight thanks to a dramatic winner from Roei Alkukin, climbing into first place ahead of the international break.
Hapoel recorded one of its biggest and most crucial victories of the season tonight (Sunday), securing a dramatic 1-0 win over Hapoel Be'er Sheva at Toto Turner Stadium in Matchday 10 of the Winner League.
Accompanied by a fantastic display of support from approximately 1,500 Red fans in the away section and locked in a direct battle for top spot against the Southerners, Elyaniv Barda's side exhibited superb tactical discipline, struck in stoppage time, and climbed to the summit of the Premier League table just before heading into the international break.
The Reds fielded an unchanged starting lineup from the victory over Maccabi Haifa in the previous round and began with slight control over the tempo of the match. For most of the first half, Hapoel dominated possession and dictated play in midfield, but struggled to turn that control into clear-cut scoring opportunities, and the sides headed into the dressing room locked at 0-0.
In the second half, the game became evenly matched, intense, and filled with fierce tactical battles across every blade of grass. Both teams were cautious not to make mistakes until the 91st minute produced a moment of brilliance: a lethal transition attack by Hapoel began through El Yam Kancepolsky, who played the ball forward to Daniel Dappa; the striker kept his composure and threaded a through ball to release Roei Alkukin one-on-one with the Be'er Sheva goalkeeper. Alkukin kept a cool head, slotted the ball home, and sent the Red away stand into raptures with his third league goal of the season and a priceless match-winner.
At the final whistle, Hapoel celebrated a sixth consecutive league victory and proudly ascended to the top of the Winner League. After ten matchdays, the Reds' record stands at 8 wins, 1 draw, and 1 defeat (25 points), alongside an impressive goal difference of 21-6 (+15).
Hapoel Lineup: Assaf Tzur, Marcus Coco, Fernand Mayembo, Chico, Yannick Leliendal, Lucas Falcao, Andrian Kraev (El Yam Kancepolsky – 79'), Roei Alkukin (Mor Buskila – 90+2'), Omri Altman (Roy Korine – 79'), Douglas Owusu (Amit Lemkin – 65'), Daniel Dappa (Anas Mahamid – 90+2').
Referee: Gal Levi at Toto Turner Stadium, Be'er Sheva.
Hapoel's next match will take place on Friday, November 27, following the international break, traveling to Shlomo Bituach Stadium in Petah Tikva to face Maccabi Petah Tikva in Matchday 11 of the Winner League. The match will kick off at 14:00.
Match Log
35': A right-footed strike from outside the box by Andrian Kraev flies over the crossbar.
60': A close-range header from Omri Altman is kept out in the bottom left corner by Ofir Marciano.
84': A low cross from the left by Yannick Leliendal almost reaches Amit Lemkin in front of an open goal.
90+1': Goal! Hapoel Tel Aviv takes a 1-0 lead! A great ball recovery by El Yam Kancepolsky, who feeds Daniel Dappa; the latter slides a wonderful through ball to Roei Alkukin, who finds himself one-on-one with the opposing goalkeeper and coolly slots home. 1-0 to Hapoel.
