Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv defeated Ironi Tiberias 1-0 tonight in a dramatic match in Matchday 7 of the Winner League. Altman scored the winning goal from the penalty spot.
Hapoel hosted Ironi Tiberias tonight at Bloomfield Stadium in Matchday 7 of the Winner League. Backed by the tremendous support of nearly 20,000 Red fans in the stands and wearing the traditional pink kits as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Elyaniv Barda's side showed character, overcame the visitors 1-0 despite an early numerical disadvantage, and completed a third consecutive league victory.
The match started on a difficult note for Hapoel: as early as the fourth minute and following a VAR review, a straight red card was shown to Andrian Kraev, leaving the Reds down to ten men. Despite the initial shock and the numerical disadvantage, Hapoel did not back down; the players displayed excellent tactical discipline, controlled the pitch for most of the half, and pushed forward, but were unable to find the net, with the first half ending goalless.
In the second half, the momentum continued, with the Reds battling for every ball and searching for the opening goal. In the 80th minute, Assaf Tzur gathered the ball and quickly initiated a lethal transition attack for Hapoel; the ball reached Stav Toriel, who delivered a masterclass through ball to Marcus Coco as he broke into the box. Coco was brought down by the opposing goalkeeper, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Omri Altman stepped up to take the spot-kick and unleashed a thunderous strike into the net to make it 1-0, sending Bloomfield into raptures.
Hapoel preserved the lead until the final whistle to register a third consecutive victory. Following the crucial three points, Hapoel raised its tally to 16 points out of a possible 21 after seven matchdays, with an excellent goal difference of 15-5 (+10).
Hapoel Lineup: Assaf Tzur, Marcus Coco, Fernand Mayembo, Chico, Yannick Leliendal, Andrian Kraev (sent off – 4'), El Yam Kancepolsky (Tal Archel – 72'), Roei Alkukin (Amit Lemkin – 72'), Omri Altman (Daniel Dappa – 86'), Douglas Owusu (Doron Leidner – 86'), Emmanuel Boateng (Stav Toriel – 61').
Referee: Omer Biran in front of 19,600 spectators at Bloomfield Stadium.
Hapoel's next match will take place next Saturday (October 24), visiting Teddy Stadium to face Hapoel Jerusalem in Matchday 8 of the Winner League. The match will kick off at 18:45.
Match Log
4': Following a VAR review, Omer Biran showed a straight red card to Andrian Kraev after an alleged stamp.
23': Yannick Leliendal struck a shot, but the opposing goalkeeper held onto the ball.
41': Guy Senker kicked Chico in the penalty area and Omer Biran awarded a penalty to Hapoel, but after being called to the VAR monitor, he reversed the decision.
69': Douglas Owusu broke free from his marker and shot from the right side of the box, but his effort struck the post.
79': Stav Toriel played a through ball to Marcus Coco, who was brought down by Ido Sharon, prompting Omer Biran to point to the penalty spot.
81': Goal! Hapoel Tel Aviv takes a 1-0 lead: Omri Altman struck the penalty powerfully into the net.
