Hapoel Tel Aviv pulled off a dramatic 1-0 victory over Hapoel Beer Sheva at Turner Stadium, thanks to a stunning 90th-minute winner from Roei Alkukin, sending the Reds into first place ahead of the three-week international break. The Israeli Premier League will now take a pause before returning to action at the end of November.

In what was a highly physical and competitive top-of-the-table showdown, both sides had their opportunities, but it was Elyaniv Barda’s squad that found a way to break through when it mattered most. Daniel Dappa delivered a phenomenal pass to Alkukin, who raced through on goal and calmly slotted the ball past Ofir Marciano and into the back of the net to secure a massive three points for the visitors.

Hapoel Tel Aviv Head Coach Elyaniv Barda reflected on the emotional experience of returning to his former home at Turner Stadium and the tactical battle that unfolded, “It was a very emotional experience for me, being back at Turner Stadium. I almost got confused in the dressing room at first. It was a very high-level tactical game from both teams, fairly evenly matched, with chances at both ends. In the second half, they had a spell of momentum after changing their formation. After a few minutes, we adjusted to it and the game became balanced again, with us creating opportunities on the counterattack. I’m happy that one of those transitions also resulted in a goal.”

Beer Sheva Head Coach Ran Kozuk was disappointed with the result, especially after his side had created several opportunities throughout the contest, “I’m leaving this game disappointed. We also lost a few tackles in the build-up to the goal in the middle. Overall, we played a very good game and created several chances that should have ended up in the back of the net. It just wasn’t our day. European matches are tough, and the travel is not easy, but that won’t be an excuse. We’ll come back even stronger and push our way up the table.”

Match-winner Roy Alkukin was understandably ecstatic after delivering the decisive moment in such an important contest, “I’m on an incredible high. There’s no feeling like it in the world. To win an extremely difficult game at such a tough stadium, against a team like that, and move into first place is amazing.”

Miguel Vitor also shared his frustration with the manner in which Beer Sheva conceded the decisive goal, “We’re disappointed with how we lost the game, and we can’t concede in that situation because we didn’t tackle properly. It was an even game and we had a few chances in the second half, but we can’t concede a goal the way we did. We knew this was going to be a very tough game and we could have won, but what makes me most angry is how we conceded the goal.”

There was plenty of fireworks even before kickoff, as the Beer Sheva Ultras South unveiled an impressive Tifo display before flares lit up the stands in what was a massive top-of-the-table clash.

Hapoel Tel Aviv controlled the tempo during the opening 15 minutes, but Marciano was up to the task in goal, while the Beer Sheva defense did well to deal with several dangerous loose balls inside the box. Amir Ganah’s free kick was punched away by Hapoel Tel Aviv goalkeeper Assaf Tzur, while Andrian Kraev’s long-range effort sailed over the crossbar at the other end. Amankwah Forson’s attempt also cleared the bar as the teams headed into halftime deadlocked at 0-0.

Javon East came flying down the right flank but narrowly missed the target, while Dappa had an opportunity at the other end that was denied by Marciano. Omri Altman’s point-blank header was also brilliantly kept out as the deadlock continued. Kozuk made a pair of substitutions that nearly paid immediate dividends. Adrian Ugarriza found himself with an opportunity inside the box, but his effort whistled just past the left post. Zahi Ahmed then saw his first attempt stopped by Tzur before sending his second effort well over the bar.

Barda responded with two substitutions of his own as Hapoel Tel Aviv looked to weather the Beer Sheva pressure and regain control. The hosts continued to push forward, but Mayembo’s header missed the target. Just when it appeared that the contest was heading toward a scoreless draw, Hapoel Tel Aviv delivered the decisive blow.

With the clock ticking into the 90th minute, Dappa produced a brilliant pass that sent Alkukin racing through on goal. The midfielder made no mistake, calmly finishing past Marciano to send the visiting supporters into celebration and secure a massive 1-0 victory.