Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv crushes Maccabi Haifa 4-0 tonight in Matchday 29 of the Winner League. Braces for Loizou and Altman.
Following the important victory over Hapoel Petah Tikva in the last matchday, Hapoel returned tonight for its first home game in the Upper Playoff.
Accompanied by a massive push from the "Red Army" in the stands, Hapoel indisputably controlled most minutes of the game and showcased sweeping, attacking football.
The red dominance manifested towards the end of the first half. In the 41st minute, an excellent through ball from Stav Toriel found Loizos Loizou, who finished the move with a superb goal, setting it at 1-0 heading into the break.
The second half was a direct continuation of the first. Hapoel continued to dictate the pace on the pitch, and a tremendous 7-minute blitz yielded three wonderful goals that sealed the deal. In the 67th minute, Omri Altman doubled the lead from a Loizou assist, and three minutes later (70'), Altman completed a quick brace, this time following another assist by Toriel. In the 74th minute, a great ball recovery by Andrian Kraev in midfield led to Loizou's second goal of the match, sealing the result: a resounding 4-0 for Hapoel.
Tonight's victory is not just three points, but an unprecedented achievement: Hapoel Tel Aviv equaled the club's all-time record for consecutive home wins, holding a perfect home record this season of 13 wins out of 13 matches.
Numbers and Statistics Following the Match:
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Loizos Loizou: Reached 7 league goals this season, to which he has also added 3 assists.
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Omri Altman: Raised his tally to 6 league goals.
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Stav Toriel: With his two assists tonight, he reaches 6 assists this season, in addition to the 12 league goals he has scored.
Following the win, Hapoel raises its tally to 55 points (excluding 2 points deducted by the disciplinary court), with a goal difference of 51:27 (+24). As of now, Hapoel is firmly established in fourth place, opening a 13-point gap from fifth-place Maccabi Haifa, and sits 9 points away from the top of the table.
Played for Hapoel: Assaf Tzur, Shahar Piven, Fernand Mayembo {Captain}, Chico Alves, Doron Leidner, El Yam Kancepolsky (Lucas Falcao – 61), Andrian Kraev (Roei Alkukin – 76), Stav Toriel, Loizos Loizou (Mor Buskila – 77), Daniel Dappa (Omri Altman – 61), Emmanuel Boateng (Roy Korine – 76).
Refereed by Yoav Mizrahi in front of 22,200 spectators at Bloomfield.
Hapoel's next game will take place this coming Saturday (2/5) when they travel to Be'er Sheva to face the local Hapoel as part of Matchday 30 of the Winner League. The game will kick off at 20:30.
Events
Minute 14: Loizou delivered a great cross from the left wing into the box; Boateng went up and headed wide.
Minute 17: Piven crossed from the right, the ball bypassed everyone and reached the head of Mayembo, who headed out.
Minute 41: Goal! Hapoel Tel Aviv goes up 1-0: Stav Toriel sent a wonderful through ball to Loizou, who advanced into the box and, one-on-one with Yermakov, made no mistake and scored.
Minute 67: Goal! Hapoel Tel Aviv goes up 2-0: Loizou turned provider after his goal, delivering a great cross into the box; Altman, who had just come on as a substitute a few minutes prior, arrived from behind and headed into the net.
Minute 70: Goal! Hapoel Tel Aviv goes up 3-0: Stav Toriel received a great ball on the edge of the box and artistically chipped it to Altman, who controlled it wonderfully with his chest, made no mistake, and completed a great brace.
Minute 74: Goal! Hapoel Tel Aviv goes up 4-0: This is already a humiliation. Kraev threaded a wonderful through ball to Loizou, who also completed a massive brace.
