Hapoel Tel Aviv advanced to the UEFA Conference League Playoff Round after defeating Katowice 3-2 on aggregate but falling 2-1 in the second leg. Up next will be a date with Serie A powerhouse Atalanta for a chance to participate in the competition’s league phase.

Shino Zuaretz, Chairman of the Israel Football Association said, “Congratulations to Hapoel Tel Aviv on advancing to the Conference League playoff round. With a supportive fan base, a committed owner, a leading professional and management staff and excellent players, anything seems possible.”

Hapoel Tel Aviv applied all kinds of pressure early on in order to increase their aggregate lead in the two legged tie and they did just that when Roie Alkukin sent Stav Turiel a marvelous pass that the latter pounded into the back of the goal to take a 1-0 lead, (3-0 on aggregate) in the 23rd minute. Omri Altman pressed for a second goal to no avail as the half ended with Hapoel Tel Aviv holding the 1-0 lead.

The reds pushed ahead in the opening minutes of the second half but Emmanuel Boateng just came up short inside the box, as did Omri Altman while Katowice tried to find a way to cut down the lead. As the minutes clicked off the clock the hosts finally broke through as Ila Shkurin scored inside of the area in the 83rd minute while Arkadiusz Jedrych added another marker via the penalty spot as the match hit injury time to snatch a 2-1 lead but Hapoel still held a 3-2 advantage on aggregate.