Beersheba beats Maccabi Tel Aviv to capture Cup
Hapoel Beersheba defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-1 as Eylon Almog's late goal helped clinch the Super Cup title at Bloomfield Stadium on Sunday night, marking the beginning of the new Israeli soccer season.
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After having played to a goalless draw against Bulgaria's Levski Sofia in Europa League first-leg, first-round qualifying action, the Southern Reds were in a bit better shape than the yellow-and-blue, which will be starting its Champions League campaign in the second round of qualifying against Pafos FC from Cyprus in just under two weeks.
Beersheba entered the game as the Israel State Cup holders after defeating Beitar Jerusalem in May, while Maccabi – which parted ways with superstar striker Eran Zahavi in the offseason – came into the contest as the reigning Israeli league champion, having just squeaked past the same Beersheba at the end of last season.
That extra push
With extra motivation to show it should have captured a domestic double last season, the Reds grabbed an early lead via Eliel Peretz, whose long shot caromed off Maccabi defender Raz Shlomo and past a helpless 'keeper, Yoav Gerafi.
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However, Beersheba lost Roie Levy to a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Roy Revivo, as the defensive back was sent off in his debut, leaving Ron Kozuk's squad with just 10 men in the 16th minute.
MACCABI TEL AVIV (in yellow) and Hapoel Beersheba (in red) were among the four Israeli clubs to learn their European competition opponents this week. (credit: MACCABI TEL AVIV/COURTESY)
With an extra man on the field, Zarko Lazetic's squad peppered the Beersheba goal with chances and looked to have finally broken through via Osher Davida's attempt that went off Matan Baltaxa for what seemed to be an own-goal. But the marker was disallowed due to a handball by Nemanja Stojic just before halftime, as the Reds took a 1-0 advantage into the break.
Maccabi continued applying pressure as the second half began, with an incredible chance by Dor Peretz off a magnificent through ball from Ido Shachar, but it was Wesley Patati who finally broke through for the yellow-and-blue, putting home a Davida ball to draw even at 1-1 in the 62nd minute.
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After wholesale changes to freshen up both lineups, Beersheba was the team to take advantage of the substitutions, as Zahi Ahmad set up Almog to score the eventual winner against his former team in the 76th minute. A late opportunity from Sagiv Yehezkel came up short in second-half injury time as Maccabi ran out of chances and Hapoel Beersheba hoisted the trophy to the delight of the visiting fans.
Now the Reds will turn their sights on advancing to the second round of Europa League qualifying when they host Levski Sofia in Hungary on Thursday.
'I thought I wouldn't talk about it this season, but this hostage pin is still here,' Kozuk began. 'First of all, it's urgent to bring them home. Regarding the game… our goal is to bring home titles, and the players did just that as they deserve all the credit for the win. We didn't defeat Maccabi Tel Aviv last season, so it was important for us to begin this season with a win.'
'We didn't score and conceded two goals – congratulations to Beersheba for winning the title,' Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Zarko Lazetic said. 'They came into the box twice and scored twice, one time via a deflection. We have time to pay more attention, and we're just at the beginning of the season – it's not easy. As for Pafos, we will need to analyze this game and improve our play both offensively and defensively.'
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Game MVP Almog, whose future with the club is in question, spoke about the victory.
'I am always determined, and we are athletes and professionals, and we are paid to perform. I appreciate every moment on the field – I appreciated it before the injury and I appreciate it even more after. I have enjoyed every day since the beginning of this season, and I am working hard. The road has just begun – we are happy today, but tomorrow is already a new day and a very important task awaits us on Thursday.'
Maccabi;s Peretz also spoke about the game and the departure of a player like Zahavi and his importance to the team as a whole.
'All credit to Hapoel Beersheba for defeating us at Bloomfield Stadium with 10 men from such an early minute of the game – all the credit to them. As for Zahavi, I really miss him, but we also have a very strong locker room, and as some players may have departed others have to step up in order for us to have a good season.'
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Now the Reds will turn their sights on advancing to the second round of Europa League qualifying when they host Levski Sofia in Hungary on Thursday. Hapoel Beersheba defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-1 as Eylon Almog's late goal helped clinch the Super Cup title at Bloomfield Stadium on Sunday night, marking the beginning of the new Israeli soccer season. Advertisement After having played to a goalless draw against Bulgaria's Levski Sofia in Europa League first-leg, first-round qualifying action, the Southern Reds were in a bit better shape than the yellow-and-blue, which will be starting its Champions League campaign in the second round of qualifying against Pafos FC from Cyprus in just under two weeks. Beersheba entered the game as the Israel State Cup holders after defeating Beitar Jerusalem in May, while Maccabi – which parted ways with superstar striker Eran Zahavi in the offseason – came into the contest as the reigning Israeli league champion, having just squeaked past the same Beersheba at the end of last season. That extra push With extra motivation to show it should have captured a domestic double last season, the Reds grabbed an early lead via Eliel Peretz, whose long shot caromed off Maccabi defender Raz Shlomo and past a helpless 'keeper, Yoav Gerafi. Advertisement However, Beersheba lost Roie Levy to a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Roy Revivo, as the defensive back was sent off in his debut, leaving Ron Kozuk's squad with just 10 men in the 16th minute. MACCABI TEL AVIV (in yellow) and Hapoel Beersheba (in red) were among the four Israeli clubs to learn their European competition opponents this week. (credit: MACCABI TEL AVIV/COURTESY) With an extra man on the field, Zarko Lazetic's squad peppered the Beersheba goal with chances and looked to have finally broken through via Osher Davida's attempt that went off Matan Baltaxa for what seemed to be an own-goal. But the marker was disallowed due to a handball by Nemanja Stojic just before halftime, as the Reds took a 1-0 advantage into the break. Maccabi continued applying pressure as the second half began, with an incredible chance by Dor Peretz off a magnificent through ball from Ido Shachar, but it was Wesley Patati who finally broke through for the yellow-and-blue, putting home a Davida ball to draw even at 1-1 in the 62nd minute. Advertisement After wholesale changes to freshen up both lineups, Beersheba was the team to take advantage of the substitutions, as Zahi Ahmad set up Almog to score the eventual winner against his former team in the 76th minute. A late opportunity from Sagiv Yehezkel came up short in second-half injury time as Maccabi ran out of chances and Hapoel Beersheba hoisted the trophy to the delight of the visiting fans. Now the Reds will turn their sights on advancing to the second round of Europa League qualifying when they host Levski Sofia in Hungary on Thursday. 'I thought I wouldn't talk about it this season, but this hostage pin is still here,' Kozuk began. 'First of all, it's urgent to bring them home. Regarding the game… our goal is to bring home titles, and the players did just that as they deserve all the credit for the win. We didn't defeat Maccabi Tel Aviv last season, so it was important for us to begin this season with a win.' 'We didn't score and conceded two goals – congratulations to Beersheba for winning the title,' Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Zarko Lazetic said. 'They came into the box twice and scored twice, one time via a deflection. We have time to pay more attention, and we're just at the beginning of the season – it's not easy. As for Pafos, we will need to analyze this game and improve our play both offensively and defensively.' Advertisement Game MVP Almog, whose future with the club is in question, spoke about the victory. 'I am always determined, and we are athletes and professionals, and we are paid to perform. I appreciate every moment on the field – I appreciated it before the injury and I appreciate it even more after. I have enjoyed every day since the beginning of this season, and I am working hard. The road has just begun – we are happy today, but tomorrow is already a new day and a very important task awaits us on Thursday.' Maccabi;s Peretz also spoke about the game and the departure of a player like Zahavi and his importance to the team as a whole. 'All credit to Hapoel Beersheba for defeating us at Bloomfield Stadium with 10 men from such an early minute of the game – all the credit to them. As for Zahavi, I really miss him, but we also have a very strong locker room, and as some players may have departed others have to step up in order for us to have a good season.'
