Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv drew 2-2 in Bulgaria tonight against Ludogorets, advancing 4-2 on aggregate to the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round. Massive brace for Boateng.
Hapoel played the second leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tonight (Thursday) against Ludogorets in Bulgaria.
Backed by 1,500 Red fans who shook the stands and holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg, the team finished the job with a dramatic 2-2 draw (4-2 on aggregate) to secure their place in the third qualifying round.
Hapoel fielded the same lineup that won last week and opened with high pressure on the host's goal. In the 16th minute, that intensity yielded the opening goal: a perfect team play ended with a brilliant through ball from Omri Altman to Emmanuel Boateng, who spotted the opportunity and slotted home first-time—his first of the season and Hapoel's first on Bulgarian soil.
In the 39th minute, the Bulgarian opponents were awarded a penalty, but standing across from them was penalty master Assaf Tzur, who delivered another huge save to keep a clean sheet into halftime with a 1-0 Red lead (3-0 on aggregate).
As the second half began, the home team launched a blitz, turning the score around within seven minutes, putting Hapoel behind 2-1 in the 54th minute. But the Red response was swift and decisive: in the 58th minute, substitute Roy Alkokin delivered a low cross that deflected off two defenders into the path of Boateng, who turned smartly and scored his second of the match to bring Hapoel back and level the score at 2-2.
Until the final whistle, the Reds maintained their tactical discipline, and the scoreline held. Hapoel advances in Europe for the first time in 13 years (since eliminating Bulgarian side Beroe Stara Zagora 6-3 on aggregate).
In the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round, Hapoel will face Polish side GKS Katowice, who eliminated Slovakian side Žilina.
Hapoel Lineup: Assaf Tzur, Marcus Coco, Fernand Mayembo, Chico Alves, Doron Leidner (Shahar Piven – 55'), Lucas Falcão, Andrian Kraev, Omri Altman (Yonatan Perber – 82'), Stav Turiell (Amit Lemkin – 82'), Xande Silva (Roy Alkokin – 55'), Emmanuel Boateng (Daniel Dafa – 74').
Referee: Sayat Karabayev (Kazakhstan).
Hapoel's next match will take place next Thursday (August 6), hosting Polish side GKS Katowice at the DVTK Stadium in Miskolc for the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round. Match details will be announced soon.
Match Log
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16': Goal! Hapoel Tel Aviv takes a 1-0 lead. The Reds broke into a counter-attack; Omri Altman received the ball on the right flank and delivered a perfect low cross to an unmarked Emmanuel Boateng, who made no mistake and tapped home from close range.
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25': Xande Silva received the ball on the left, cut inside, and unleashed a dangerous shot from outside the box, but goalkeeper Hendrik Bonmann parried it out for a corner.
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29': Penalty to the opponents; Assaf Tzur makes a perfect save. Still 1-0 to Hapoel.
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47': 1-1.
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54': 2-1 to Ludogorets.
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58': Goal! Hapoel Tel Aviv levels it at 2-2. The Reds broke into a counter-attack; substitute Roy Alkokin received the ball on the left flank and sent a cross into the box. The Ludogorets defense failed to clear it, and Boateng controlled and completed his brace.
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73': Excellent chance for Hapoel Tel Aviv. Turiell received the ball on the right, charged into the box, and beat his marker with a skillful dribble, but his shot went over the bar.