Playing two consecutive matches against the same opponent is always a challenge. It's even more complicated when this match is between two of the major teams in Israel. Four days after their cup encounter, Hapoel Beer Sheva and Maccabi Haifa played each other again for a league match at the same venue, Turner Stadium.
For the host team, Hapoel Beer Sheva, it was one of the most important matches of the season until that moment. Before this matchday, the team led the table by 5 points over Maccabi Tel Aviv. Winning the match tonight would ensure they remained in first place before the playoffs.
On the other hand, since their cup elimination, Maccabi Haifa was getting closer to finishing the season earlier than expected. The club began the season as a title contender, but they were 10 points behind their opponents. Finishing another game without a win could be crucial for their race to secure a Conference League place next season.
The short period between the two games made this match a chess game between the two managers. Barak Bakhar, Maccabi Haifa's manager, decided to change his strategy. In the cup match, he preferred to let Hapoel Beer Sheva retain possession, but this time he tried to enforce a more attacking approach. Hapoel Beer Sheva used the same high-pressure tactics they were known for throughout the season.
In the 37th minute, Maccabi Haifa gained their first advantage. Lucas Ventura lost the ball in a dangerous position. On the first attempt, Niv Eliasi saved it, but Maccabi Haifa was there to take the rebound. In the second attempt, Lior Refaelov passed a decent ball to Kenny Saief. The former USMNT player scored—1-0 for the away team.
Confused, Hapoel Beer Sheva made another crucial mistake during first-half additional time. This time, Dia Saba was in the right spot to hit the net. Saba is the team's leading scorer this season with 15 league goals. He is ranked second in the league's top scorer table, behind Guy Melamed, who signed for Maccabi Haifa in the winter transfer window.
A true fortress that helped Hapoel Be’er Sheva to complete a three goal comeback. Turner Stadium (Photo courtesy: Hapoel Be’er Sheva)
SECOND HALF
In the second half, Maccabi Haifa hoped to complete their mission as early as possible. They kept attacking until Ricardinho scored his debut goal in Israel in the 64th minute. This time, Dia Saba assisted well.
From then on, for a few minutes, everything changed.
Two minutes later, in the 66th minute, Hapoel Beer Sheva scored their first goal. Players from both sides were inside the box, and after several attempts, Alon Turgeman scored his 10th goal of the season.
After three more minutes, a corner from the left flank. Kings Kangwa crossed it, and Helder Lopes headed the ball directly. It took only five minutes to turn a 3-goal lead into a chaotic match.
Turner Stadium is always known as a true home ground. Hapoel Beer Sheva set a record in the past of 52 consecutive unbeaten home league games. At that moment, the crowd was shouting. "During the halftime break, when we were at a 2-goal deficit, I told my players that we needed only one goal to win that match," said Hapoel Beer Sheva coach, Ran Kojuch, in the press conference after the game.
He was correct. After the second goal, Maccabi Haifa reverted their attacking approach and started to fall back. In the 86th minute, another Hapoel Beer Sheva corner turned into a sequence of chances. In the end, Helder Lopes scored his second, and this time it was an equalizer—3:3.
"I know the feeling of this stadium," said Barak Bakhar in the end. Bakhar was Hapoel Beer Sheva's manager when the team set the unbeaten record, leading the club to three championships in a row. "The combination of the team and the crowd is powerful."
Hapoel Beer Sheva managed to show great character, as they drew with Maccabi Haifa but kept the league's top position. Maccabi Haifa could be upset about this missed opportunity, knowing that their next few weeks are going to be tough.
““I know the feeling of this stadium... the combination of the team and the crowd is powerful.””
Down 3-0, Hapoel Beer Sheva roared back to a dramatic 3-3 draw with Maccabi Haifa, keeping their top spot in the Israeli league.