Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv finished their match tonight at Sammy Ofer Stadium against Hapoel Haifa with a 3-3 draw, as part of Matchday 18 of the Winner League. A goal and an assist for Roy Korine.
Hapoel Tel Aviv arrived at Sammy Ofer Stadium this evening (Saturday) for the clash against Hapoel Haifa, just moments before the massive and intriguing encounter coming up this Wednesday: the Tel Aviv Derby in the State Cup Round of 16.
Elyaniv Barda's squad, forced to manage without the suspended Andrian Kraev, Chico Alves, and Omri Altman, provided a dramatic and event-filled match, at the end of which they managed to salvage a precious point thanks to a good second half.
In the 19th minute, Hapoel's dominance translated into a lead: Roy Korine swung his leg and sent a wonderful long-range shot into the net, 1-0 to Hapoel. Despite the lead, the momentum shifted quickly. Within just two minutes of a lack of concentration in the Red defense, the hosts managed to turn the score around. The first half ended with a 2-1 deficit.
The second half got off to a bad start, as Hapoel conceded the third goal immediately upon returning to the pitch. Trailing 3-1, coach Elyaniv Barda reacted and made a triple substitution: Daniel Dappa, Amit Lemkin, and Stav Toriel entered the field.
Hapoel increased the pressure on the Haifa goal. In the 59th minute, Ziv Morgan rose beautifully to meet a high ball and headed in a goal to narrow the deficit, 3-2. Hapoel continued to search for the equalizer and created several dangerous situations, until the 80th minute when the long-awaited moment arrived: Stav Torial kicked a corner that hit Hapoel Haifa defender George Diba and found the net. A dramatic 3-3.
In the final minutes, Hapoel tried to complete a heroic turnaround and sent players forward, but the match ended with a share of the points. Following the draw, Hapoel's tally stands at 29 points with a goal difference of 33-23 (+10).
Played for Hapoel: Assaf Tsur, Tal Archel (Liran Rotman – 66), Fernand Mayembo (Captain), Ziv Morgan, Yazan Nassar (Amit Lemkin – 51), Lucas Falcao, El Yam Kancepolsky (Stav Toriel – 50), Roy Elkokine (Ari Cohen – 90), Loizos Loizou, Roy Korine, Anas Mahamid (Daniel Dappa – 51).
Refereed by Snir Levi at Sammy Ofer Stadium.
Hapoel's next match will take place this coming Wednesday (Jan 14), when Hapoel hosts Maccabi Tel Aviv at Bloomfield Stadium for the State Cup Round of 16. The match will kick off at 20:30.
Match Events
Minute 6: First attempt on target. Anas Mahamid received the ball 20 meters from goal and unleashed a strong shot, but it went to the middle and Machini caught the ball.
Minute 19: Goal! Roy Korine put Hapoel Tel Aviv up 1-0: The winger received the ball on the right flank, cut to the center, and blasted it into the far corner.
Minute 29: 1-1. Following a VAR intervention that awarded a penalty to Hapoel Haifa.
Minute 31: 2-1 to Hapoel Haifa.
Minute 46: 3-1 to Hapoel Haifa.
Minute 59: Goal! Hapoel is back: A short corner by the visitors reached Korine, who crossed to the head of Ziv Morgan who headed into the net, making it 3-2.
Minute 63: Roy Korine sent a through ball to Stav Torial who shot and missed against an almost empty goal.
Minute 80: Goal! Hapoel equalizes: A corner kick by Torial hit George Diba of Hapoel Haifa and went in. 3-3.
