Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv played out a goalless draw tonight at Sammy Ofer Stadium against Hapoel Haifa in Matchday 2 of the Winner League.
Hapoel kicked off its league campaign tonight (Sunday), visiting Hapoel Haifa at Sammy Ofer Stadium in Matchday 2 of the Winner League.
Accompanied by a tremendous display of support from over 7,000 Red supporters in the stands and following the conclusion of the European campaign, the team arrived aiming to start the domestic season on the right foot with three points, but parted ways with the hosts in an event-filled and dramatic 0-0 draw.
The first half was controlled by the home side, but was characterized by a tactical and cautious match with very few scoring opportunities at either end, and the teams went into the break level at 0-0.
In the second half, the momentum shifted completely as the Reds took control of the pitch on their way to creating several excellent chances. It began with a sharp strike from Lucas Falcao that was denied only by the post. In the 60th minute came the turning point: Daniel Dappa executed a fine turn on the opponent's center-back and was brought down in the box. The referee awarded a penalty and showed a straight red card to the host's defender. Stav Toriel, last season's top scorer, stepped up to take the spot-kick, but the opposing goalkeeper produced a triple save to deny Hapoel a well-deserved lead.
In the 78th minute, further drama unfolded when Omri Altman was shown a straight red card following a VAR review, leaving both sides with ten men. Hapoel continued to apply pressure on the opponent's goal in the closing minutes in search of a winning goal, but could not find the back of the net, and the encounter ended in a share of the spoils.
Hapoel Lineup: Assaf Tzur, Marcus Coco (Amit Lemkin – 87'), Fernand Mayembo, Chico, Doron Leidner, Lucas Falcao, Andrian Kraev (Douglas Owusu – 74'), Roei Alkukin (Yonatan Perber – 87'), Stav Toriel, Mor Buskila (Omri Altman – 65', sent off – 78'), Daniel Dappa (Emmanuel Boateng – 65').
Referee: Aviv Klein at Sammy Ofer Stadium.
Hapoel's next match will take place this coming Thursday (September 3), hosting Beitar Jerusalem at Bloomfield Stadium in the rescheduled Matchday 1 fixture of the Winner League. The match will kick off at 20:30.
Match Log
44': Leidner found himself in a good position inside the box and struck a powerful shot, but Gerafi was well-positioned to make the save.
51': A well-worked set-piece routine by Hapoel ended with a close-range header into the net by Mayembo, but the goal was disallowed due to a marginal offside call on Buskila.
57': Leidner found Falcao in space, and the midfielder struck first-time, only to be denied by the post.
60': Hapoel Haifa was reduced to ten men: Dappa turned nicely on the edge of the box and was pulled back from behind to deny a clear goalscoring opportunity. Aviv Klein blew for a penalty and showed the center-back a straight red card.
64': Toriel took the penalty and Gerafi made the save; the winger reacted first to the rebound and hit the crossbar from close range, Dappa followed up with a sharp header, but Gerafi once again produced a remarkable double save to prevent two certain goals.
78': Omri Altman was shown a straight red card.
86': Boateng connected with an excellent header, but Gerafi pulled off another save.