Hapoel Tel Aviv slipped by Ironi Tiberias 1-0 as Omri Altman scored a late penalty after a very shaky start to the game when Andrian Kraev was sent off and left the Reds with ten men from the 3rd minute of the match but Elyaniv Barda’s side took the points and the hard earned win.

With Hapoel wearing a pink kit to mark Breast Cancer Month, just three minutes into the game, Kraev was issued a red card when he stomped on David Keltjens leg as Hapoel was reduced to ten men for virtually the entire contest.

The Reds almost earned a penalty in first half injury time when it appeared that Chico had been tripped up in the box, but the referee Omer Biran with the aid of the VAR (Virtual Assistant Referee) decided to not make the call as the two sides headed into the break goalless.

Despite being down a man, Hapoel kept pushing forward, however, Emmanuel Boateng and Ziv Morgan knocked heads which left the former on the ground and needed to be stretchered off from the pitch with an injury above his left eye in the 57th minute.

Finally, with just ten minutes remaining in the match, Marcus Coco came steaming into the box and was tripped up by the keeper Ido Sharon, earning a spot kick for the Reds which Altman promptly slotted home to take the tough win.

Tel Aviv Head Coach Elyaniv Barda spoke about the victory, “We knew after the red card that the game would be very difficult and that we would have to give extra and everyone did that. We gained a lot from this, especially in terms of the players’ mentality. Even with 10 men, we believed we could win. Our keeper, Assaf Tzur kept us in the game twice, but apart from that, we controlled things, won corners and got shots away. Playing with 10 men from the second minute is not easy.”

Ironi Tiberias coach Alon Ziv also spoke after the match, “It’s very disappointing, especially considering we started the game with a numerical advantage. I would call it naive. The feelings are frustrating. I don’t think we created enough chances, especially with an extra player. We tried to make changes and take control of the game, but ultimately, conceding when we were comfortable worked against us. We put an emphasis on defense, but we came away with no points.”

Omri Altman summed up the victory from his perspective, “I want to dedicate the win to Andrian Kraev. He certainly didn’t mean to do it and these things happen. We wanted to make him happy and give him some peace of mind. It was a difficult win and everyone gave everything. We tried to stick to our game plan and controlled the game even with 10 men. Overall, I think we responded well to the red card. It’s important to know how to win games like these.”

Ido Sharon, the goalkeeper involved in the incident that led to the red card, said: “I know I didn’t touch Marcus Coco and I’m being completely objective. I don’t know what they decided there. I think they were looking to even things up a little because it was Tiberias, playing against a smaller team at Bloomfield. I’m disappointed about that. I trust the team and the coaching staff.”