In front of zero fans, with the second wave of Coronavirus running around and a national financial crisis knocking on the door, Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Maccabi Petah Tikva met for what was, probably, the quietest state cup final Israeli football has ever experienced.
For the first time since 1996, Bloomfield Stadium in Jaffa was hosting the final of the tournament, that enjoyed much more glam and fame 20 years ago.
The last time, and the only, Be’er Sheva has won it was in 1997. Maccabi Petah Tikva’s last triumph of the tournament was back in 1952. On paper, it was a historical night for both teams.
Yet, it was a weird day for football. Mid-July is usually the time when Israeli teams participate at the early stages Europa League qualifications. In the small Arab town of Jaffa, south to Tel Aviv where Bloomfield Stadium is situated, the air was humid and heavy.
A cup final during a pandemic is a bit of depressing event. Can you imagine a cup final with no atmosphere? With no traffic jams? With no fans?
A few brave Be’er Shevains made the trip to Jaffa, just to stay outside of the stadium. The chance for their team to win a title in a hectic season like the one they’ve been through brought them here.
The fans of The Camels, the nickname of the Southern club, knew it might be the last time they will see their beloved team for a few months now. Israel, who was one of the first countries to close its borders due to the coronavirus spreading and counted as a pioneer in its way of handling of the virus, is now one of the places that are severely hit by the virus’ new blow. ‘A second wave’ they call it here.
The Middle Eastern country is preparing for another lockdown, this time for a month or more, nobody really knows. Let alone the health conditions of the population, more than half a million people lost their job in less than five months what brought the public’s morale in the new lows.
Yet, a cup final is a cup final. You can’t hide from the glimpse of excitement it brings. “We are here to show the players we support them in any circumstances”, says Nadav, a young Be’er Sheva fan who travelled by train. “You weren’t afraid?”, I asked. “What to get sick because of the virus? No way. The virus is 14 days at home, winning a cup during coronavirus is for life!”
First Half
Maccabi Petah Tikva is one of the most hated teams in Israeli football. Avi Luzon, the club’s vocal chairman, is the former FA President. Fans and media seeing him as a corrupted and unreliable character. This season they managed to win promotion back to the Premier League after a year in the second division and to reach the cup final after eliminating a series of Premier League clubs, including Hapoel Tel Aviv.
At first, you couldn’t tell which team is the Premier League and which one is coming from the second division. Petah Tikva pressed well, and gained few dangerous chances and looked comfortable to fight for this title until the end. Or Inbrum and Dor Huggi seemed Dangerous while Ohad Levita, Be’er Sheva’s keeper seemed to be a bit too excited.
Be’er Sheva tried, mainly through Elton Acolatse and Josué Pesqueira, but couldn’t provide any serious threats on Petah Tikva’s goal. The result was 0-0 at halftime.
Second Half
The second half was a whole different story. Be’er Sheva rose to the event started to play like the better team it is. It took them only four minutes to score. Josué, with an artistic pass, found the former Chelsea man, Ben Sahar, who easily scored with a smooth touch. Dor Hevron, Petah Tikva’s young goalkeeper could only follow the ball with his look. 1-0 Be’er Sheva!
Former Chelsea man, Ben Sahar, scores his and Be’er Sheva’s first goal. (Nicole Liberman/BabaGol©)
From this moment on, the field turned into a masterclass of one man: number 27 in red, Josué Pesqueira. The Portuguese magician controlled the pace, did what he wanted, and with every touch in the ball, made the few journalists and staff members in the place to forget. Forget about the coronavirus, the up and coming financial crisis, the fact the stadium is empty, that there is no crowd and that the DJ sucks. In one touch, half a turn or a brilliant pass, he simply took all the present people in the ground, implemented them in his living room, on the couch, and give them pleasure. On the same time, he left his friends in front of goal free to score.
On the 61st minute, he also scored himself with a beautiful screamer. 2-0, and the Camels were celebrating in madness, which was quite bizarre seeing it taking place in front of the vivid empty stands.
Portuguese Josué celebrates with his coach, Yossi Abuksis, the second for Be’er Sheva (Nicole Liberman/BabaGol©)
From this point, the match was all red. Dor Hevron, Petah Tikva’s 19-year-old goalie was helpless in front Be’er Sheva’s forwards and was seemed like the whole stage is a bit above his capabilities. The youngster played only six games this year and was quite a surprise in the line-up by ex-Charlton coach, Guy Luzon.
In the 92nd minute, Oren Bitton, who went in as a substitution a minute earlier scored from within the box, but the goal was ruled out by VAR, due to offside. It didn’t matter much, as two minutes later the referee blew the final whistle.
After 23 years, and for the second time ever, Hapoel Be’er Sheva is the Israeli State Cup winners.
The fans who came all the way only to watch the match in a nearby pub that placed a screen outside can happily go back to the south. It’s not the same, of course, to celebrate the title of your team when you are left outside, but this is the reality of the game in 2020.
Coronavirus or not, financial crisis or not, Hapoel Be’er Sheva fans’ season ended in the sweetest way possible.
After 23 years, and for the second time ever, Hapoel Be’er Sheva is the Israeli State Cup winners. (Nicole Liberman/BabaGol©)
