The women's team kicked off the league season with a historic derby that ended goalless. Read the full match report below.
The club's senior women's team hosted Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday afternoon for the city derby, marking the first matchday of the Women's Premier League.
The team came into the match following the conclusion of their Athena Cup campaign, where they finished in fifth place. After being drawn into Group A, they secured 6 out of 9 possible points. This was not enough to advance to the quarter-finals; two teams finished with the exact same number of points, and despite our superior goal difference, the team's placement in last year's league standings was the determining factor. In the placement match, the team defeated Maccabi Holon 3-1, securing fifth place overall.
Today's derby was played in the league for the first time in 24 years, in front of dozens of spectators at Bat Yam Stadium, the team's home ground for the season. Ofer Ben Zeev's squad controlled most of the game and created several promising chances, but couldn't find the back of the net. The opponents rarely threatened, and the match concluded with the points shared.
Next up, Hapoel will travel to face Maccabi Holon this coming Wednesday (Sept 16, 19:40) for matchday two of the league.
Hapoel's Lineup: Agam Haviv, Anela Nigito, Asia Derksen, Thayna Marins, Rebeca Zavaleta, Zohar Cohen, Hen Elhadad (Shoval Kedoshim, 78'), Eden Avital, Yetunde Adeboyejo (Laysla Santos, 78'), Maria Almasri (Shira Feniger, 84'), and Hodaya Biton (Orian Biro, 62').
