Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv returns to the league and defeats Maccabi Haifa 2-0 tonight at Bloomfield Stadium in Matchday 25 of the Winner League. Toriel and Loizou scored from the penalty spot.
Hapoel returned from a forced break due to the security situation and hosted Maccabi Haifa at Bloomfield Stadium in a match played behind closed doors.
As the regular season nears its end with only 180 minutes remaining, the Reds knew that every point could be crucial in the top-of-the-table battles.
The team took to the pitch without Andrian Kraev and the suspended Lucas Falcao, starting the game in a balanced and measured manner against an opponent ranked one spot below them in the table.
The first half was characterized by tactical and cautious play from both teams, with scoring opportunities being scarce and not posing a real threat to the goals.
A shift in momentum occurred at the start of the second half. Loizos Loizou received an excellent through ball from Tal Archel, bypassed the last defender, and was brought down on his way to the goal. The match referee brandished a direct red card, a justified decision that left Maccabi Haifa with ten men.
The numerical advantage translated into Hapoel taking control of the midfield and increasing the pressure on the opponent's goal. In the 63rd minute, the team was awarded a penalty kick from 11 meters following a handball in the box. Stav Toriel, the team's top scorer, stepped up for the kick and scored the opening goal, which was also his 12th goal of the season.
The Reds continued to control the pace of the game and look for the second goal. In the 89th minute, captain Fernand Mayembo was fouled inside the box, and following VAR intervention, another penalty was awarded to Hapoel by referee Nael Odeh. Loizou took responsibility, converted precisely from the penalty spot, and set the score at 2-0 for Hapoel.
The victory established a perfect record of 12 home wins in 12 matches this season.
Following the win, Hapoel climbed to 48 points, despite a two-point deduction by the disciplinary court, and is ranked fourth with a goal difference of 46:26.
Played for Hapoel: Assaf Tzur, Shahar Piven, Fernand Mayembo {Captain}, Chico Alves, Marcus Coco (Doron Leidner – 77), Tal Archel, Roei Alkukin, Stav Toriel (Mor Buskila – 77), Loizos Loizou (Amit Lemkin – 89), Omri Altman (Daniel Dappa – 70), Emmanuel Boateng (Xande Silva – 70).
Refereed by Nael Odeh at Bloomfield Stadium.
Hapoel's next game will take place on Saturday (11/4) at Shlomo Bituach Stadium in Petah Tikva, where they will face Hapoel Petah Tikva in the 26th and final Matchday of the regular league. The match will kick off at 20:00.
Events Log
Minute 35: Abdoulaye Seck lost a ball that reached Emmanuel Boateng, who sent Loizos Loizou forward one-on-one against the goalkeeper, but the center-back tackled the ball away from the Cypriot's feet.
Minute 40: Stav Toriel sent Omri Altman, who found himself one-on-one with Yermakov, but he wasn't focused enough and unleashed an inaccurate shot.
Minute 46: Loizos Loizou was sent forward once again; Navot Ratner ran alongside him, and as the Cypriot was alone against Yermakov, Ratner committed a foul that left Nael Odeh with no choice but to show him the red card.
Minute 53: Roei Alkukin found Loizou on the edge of the box, who unleashed a decent shot that was stopped by Yermakov.
Minute 54: A brilliant one-two pass between Loizou and Boateng once again left the Cypriot facing the Ukrainian goalkeeper, who made the save.
Minute 62: Loizou shot towards the goal; Lisev Eissat deflected the ball with his hand. Odeh initially didn't whistle for it, but the VAR called him over, and he awarded a penalty in favor of Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Minute 63: Goal! Hapoel Tel Aviv scores first and goes up 1-0: Stav Toriel stepped up to the penalty spot, made no mistake, and gave the Reds the lead.
Minute 87: Another penalty for Hapoel! The VAR officials called Odeh to take a look, and he saw a foul by Eitan Azulay on captain Fernand Mayembo in the box, where Azulay wasn't playing the ball at all, and whistled for a penalty.
Minute 89: Goal! Hapoel Tel Aviv goes up to 2-0: Loizos Loizou struck it well and beat Yermakov. The Reds are on their way to an important victory in the top-of-the-table clash.