Although Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv was defeated 2-1 tonight by Katowice, they prevail 3-2 on aggregate to advance to the UEFA Conference League Play-offs, where they will face Italian side Atalanta. Toriel scored.
Hapoel played the second leg of the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round tonight, visiting GKS Katowice in Poland with a 2-0 lead from the first leg.
In front of a packed home stadium and supported by hundreds of Red fans who made the journey from Israel, the team managed to hold on during the final minutes, complete a 3-2 victory on aggregate, and secure a ticket to the play-off round of the competition for the first time in its history.
Hapoel opened the match brilliantly, controlling the action on the pitch in the opening minutes and creating several excellent scoring opportunities that went unconverted. In the 23rd minute, the Red dominance was reflected on the scoreboard: a superb pass from Roy Alkokin found Stav Toriel, who calmly slotted past the goalkeeper to give Hapoel a well-deserved 1-0 lead that held until halftime.
In the second half, the hosts held more possession in an effort to get back into the game, but struggled to generate dangerous chances against the Reds' tactical discipline. However, dramatic moments unfolded in the closing minutes: in the 85th minute, the Poles managed to equalize on a counter-attack, and in the 90th minute, they were awarded a penalty that was converted to make it 2-1. In a tense and nerve-wracking stoppage time, the Reds fought for every ball, preserved their 3-2 aggregate lead, and secured their qualification.
In the Conference League play-off round, Hapoel will face Italian side Atalanta in a massive two-legged tie. This will mark the first time the club meets an Italian opponent since the historic 2001/02 season, when the team was stopped in the UEFA Cup Quarter-Finals by AC Milan (2-1 on aggregate).
Hapoel Lineup: Assaf Tzur, Marcus Coco (Shahar Piven – 79'), Fernand Mayembo, Chico Alves, Doron Leidner, Lucas Falcão, Andrian Kraev, Omri Altman (Xande Silva – 79'), Roy Alkokin (Amit Lemkin – 73'), Stav Toriel (Mor Buskila – 88'), Emmanuel Boateng (Yonatan Perber – 88').
Referee: Alexandros Tsakalidis (Greece) at Katowice Arena, Poland.
Hapoel's next match will take place next Thursday (August 20), traveling to Bergamo to face Atalanta in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League Play-offs. Kick-off time is yet to be announced.
Match Log
-
9': A brilliant through ball from Falcão found Altman, who drove into the box and was blocked; Boateng received the ball in a promising position but could not get a shot on target.
-
17': Altman delivered a precise cross into the box, but Mayembo missed the ball from just a few meters out.
-
23': Goal! Hapoel Tel Aviv takes a 1-0 lead. A long ball confused the Polish defense; Roy Alkokin capitalized to find Stav Toriel one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and the winger made no mistake, placing it accurately into the net.
-
31': Altman tried to surprise from a set-piece; the Polish keeper failed to catch the ball, but the defense managed to clear for a corner.
-
45': Right before the halftime whistle, Altman broke free on the right flank and unleashed a low shot toward goal, but the keeper gathered it.
-
83': 1-1.
-
90': 2-1 to the opponents following a penalty awarded in their favor.