Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv defeated Hapoel Kiryat Shmona 2-1 in a massive drama tonight in the Toto Cup Semi-Final, with two stoppage-time goals from Daniel Dappa.
Hapoel faced Kiryat Shmona tonight at Shlomo Bituach Stadium in the Toto Cup Semi-Final. Backed by thousands of Red fans in the stands and ready ahead of Thursday's trip to Bergamo to face Atalanta, the team pulled off an unforgettable comeback deep in injury time (2-1) to secure its place in the tournament final for the second consecutive year, setting up a historic Tel Aviv Derby against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The match began in difficult fashion for the Reds, who fell behind early in the sixth minute. Hapoel did not break, took control of the tempo, and in the 30th minute the northern side was reduced to ten men following a red card.
In the second half, the Reds increased their pressure on the opponent's goal. Stav Toriel and Roei Alkukin came on as substitutes, and in the 62nd minute, Douglas Owusu made his debut in the Red shirt. Hapoel continued to attack, with the drama reaching its peak during the eight minutes of stoppage time.
In the 90+6th minute, the equalizer arrived: El Yam Kancepolsky, making his 100th appearance in the Red shirt tonight, delivered an accurate cross from the right wing straight to the head of Daniel Dappa, who nodded home to make it 1-1. Just when it seemed the match was heading to penalties, the defining moment arrived deep in injury time: Owusu unleashed a powerful strike from 20 meters, the ball found the head of Dappa who headed into the net once again to complete his brace and seal a sensational 2-1 comeback for the Reds!
Following the victory, Hapoel advances to the Toto Cup Final for the second consecutive year, where they will face Maccabi Tel Aviv for the first time in the tournament's history in a derby clash for the season's first piece of silverware.
Hapoel Lineup: Assaf Tzur, Shahar Piven (Marcus Coco – 62'), Fernand Mayembo (Or Israelov – 72'), Chico (Roei Alkukin – 46'), Amit Lemkin, El Yam Kancepolsky, Tal Archel, Yonatan Perber, Xande Silva (Stav Toriel – 46'), Mor Buskila (Douglas Owusu – 62'), Daniel Dappa.
Referee: Yoni Kelez at Shlomo Bituach Stadium, Petah Tikva.
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. The match will kick off at 21:30.
Match Log
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6': Hapoel concedes and falls behind 1-0.
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14': Mor Buskila passed to El Yam Kancepolsky, and the midfielder struck a surprise shot from the left corner of the box that hit the post.
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23': Mor Buskila produced another fine move on the left flank, driving the attack forward and playing in Yonatan Perber at the right moment, whose shot from the edge of the box toward goal was well saved by Daniel Tenenbaum.
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30': Kiryat Shmona is reduced to ten men after Ofir Benbenishti receives a second yellow card.
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42': Perber made a great run down the right flank including a dribble and a fine cross; Daniel Dappa flicked it with his heel, but Tenenbaum reacted brilliantly to prevent the goal.
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55': Mor Buskila found Roei Alkukin well, who squared it to El Yam Kancepolsky; his blocked shot rebounded to Stav Toriel, whose effort from inside the box narrowly missed the target.
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90+6': Goal! El Yam Kancepolsky crossed and the ball reached Daniel Dappa, who headed home. 1-1.
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90+8': Goal! Douglas Owusu fired from 20 meters; the ball reached the head of Dappa, who nodded it in. A dramatic and sweet 2-1 victory!