Israeli football has entered its money time—the playoff phase, which splits the league into a top half and a bottom half, has started right before the international break.
On Monday night, round two of the top playoff phase concluded with the “match of the season” between Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
First place hosting second place, a packed Turner Stadium, and a classic matchup between two teams that have met at this stage for the better part of the last decade—culminating in many great title battles and intense matches.
The crowds of both teams set the tone with a great atmosphere at the start of the game.
One was flying high, the other made mistakes that can cost his team a season. Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Osher Davida (on the right) and Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s Helder Lopes fighting on the ball. (Photo courtesy: Hapoel Be’er Sheva)
First Half: Maccabi Tel Aviv have broke the unbreakable
In the 6th minute, Alon Turgeman hit the side netting, confusing part of the crowd into thinking the ball had gone in, but it wasn’t to be. HBS came very close early on.
In the 11th minute, the visitors took the lead—an innocuous long ball from the Maccabi defense was poorly handled by Helder Lopes, who headed it back to Osher Davida. The young winger could not convert, but Wesley Pattati was first to the rebound. 1-0 Yellow and Blue.
Another 10 minutes passed, and again, a Be’er Sheva unforced error created a turning point in the game. Defender Guy Mizrahi, one of their most solid players this season, cleared the ball back but scraped Pattati’s calf on the way. A quick VAR check resulted in the first red card of his career.
Maccabi sensed it was their moment to seize. A free kick in the 31st minute led to the second goal. Pattati, involved in every big moment of the game, crossed directly into Dor Peretz’s path, who headed in the 2-0. Surely, HBS goalkeeper Niv Eliasi could have done better.
In first-half stoppage time, it seemed like the game was over. The Davida-Pattati combo struck again, as Davida ran freely down the right flank and squared the ball for the Brazilian to make it 3-0.
Ran Kozuch, the coach well known for his full-pitch press style, was outclassed in this half by opposing Serbian manager Žarko Lazetič, who exposed his team at every opportunity.
Second Half: Be’er Sheva’s respect is still here
Be’er Sheva has proudly used the term “Unbreakable” to describe the team this year, having come back from very difficult in-game situations. But this hole might be too deep to climb out of.
On the bright side, Hapoel Be’er Sheva has Kings Kangwa. The Zambian international has been nothing short of sensational this season for the Reds. At the start of the second half, he gave the home team a lifeline all by himself—running the length of the pitch before setting up a one-two with Dan Biton and putting it past Simon Sluga with a powerful shot. 3-1.
The goal felt a little like a “game on” signal for the hosts, but Maccabi Tel Aviv managed to slow the game down and quiet the small bursts of momentum from the Camels.
In the end, it was the first-ever victory for an away side in a one-two matchup at the start of the Israeli top-half playoff. A massive 3-1 win for the defending champions in the heart of the desert.
This victory sends Maccabi Tel Aviv to first place, leapfrogging Be’er Sheva and establishing a two-point lead at the top of the league with eight matches to go.
“Even if Be’er Sheva would have won, it would not be over”, Maccabi’s Lazetič, said in the press conference after the game. “Both teams can lose points moving forward, there are tough teams in the playoff - Beitar, the Haifas, Netanya”.
It feels like a big momentum shift going forward, but historically, the team that finished first in the regular season has always gone on to win the title. Can Maccabi Tel Aviv change this statistic? Are Be’er Sheva indeed “breakable”?
Kozuch was asked about the “unbrekable” comment in the post-match interview and if it gave Maccabi the extra motivation. “I say what I believe in. And I still believe this”, he told the press. “Yes, even today - the way we responded in the second half showed some of that. Other teams, 3-0 down vs Maccabi, would not have responded this way
The 2024-25 season might go straight down to the wire, with everything still to play for.
Photo courtesy: Hapoel Be’er Sheva
““Even if Be’er Sheva would have won, it would not be over””
Asia’s top clubs, led by Al Hilal and Al Sadd, clash in Jeddah as the ACL Elite Finals 2025 promise drama, history, and a new champion.
Oday Dabbagh nets a 118th-minute winner as Aberdeen edge 9-man Hearts 2-1 to reach the Scottish Cup final for the first time since 1990.
Tractor tops Persian Gulf Pro League after win over Malavan, edging closer to first title.
Arkadag advances to AFC Challenge League final, maintaining perfect home record and eyeing historic continental triumph.
Asia's top eFootball players to battle in Jeddah as the AFC eChampions League Elite debuts alongside the ACL Elite Finals.
Sharjah FC stuns Al-Taawoun with two stoppage-time goals to reach the AFC Champions League Two final.
Maccabi Tel Aviv held 1-1 by Maccabi Haifa as Be’er Sheva beat Beitar to reclaim top spot in a thrilling Israeli Premier League night.
Late drama in Turner as Miguel Vitor’s winner lifts Be’er Sheva back to the top, while Beitar rue a costly red card in fiery clash.
Cristiano Ronaldo nets two for Al-Nassr as Al-Ittihad win again to stay top of the Saudi Pro League after Round 27.
Thailand and China will host the AFC U20 and U17 Women’s Asian Cups, aiming to boost youth football development across Asia.
CAF U-20 AFCON 2025 draw is out: Egypt hosts, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana headline tight groups. Top 4 to qualify for FIFA U-20 WC.
Zamalek out, Stellenbosch through! Four clubs set for thrilling CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals starting April 20.
Al Ahly, Pyramids, Sundowns, and Pirates set up all Egypt vs South Africa CAF Champions League semi-finals in April 2025.
Mohamed Salah has extended his Liverpool contract for two more seasons, aiming for more trophies after another prolific season with the Reds.
Omer Atzili's brace leads a dominant performance as Beitar secures a spot in May's championship match, continuing their impressive season.
Liverpool's Egyptian star forward Mohamed Salah is close to signing a two-year contract extension that will keep him at Anfield through 2027.
Matchday 2 of the Copa Libertadores brought drama, late goals, and surprise results as group battles heat up across South America.
AFC kicks off its first Empowering Women in Football Program, advancing diversity and leadership in the Asian football ecosystem.
Brazilian footballer Sofia Sena detained in Israel over visa issues; faces deportation after Ramat HaSharon denies club affiliation.
Bolivian minnows San Antonio Bulo Bulo beat Olimpia 3–2 in their Copa Libertadores debut. A fairy tale run in the making?
Al-Ittihad rescue a dramatic 2-2 draw vs Al-Ahli in the Jeddah Derby to stay top of the Saudi Pro League in a fiery title race clash.
Cristiano Ronaldo netted a brace to guide Al-Nassr to a 3-1 victory over Al-Hilal in a highly anticipated derby. All the numbers from CR7's performance inside.
José Mourinho grabs rival coach’s nose after Fenerbahçe’s fiery Turkish Cup loss to Galatasaray, sparking chaos and controversy.
Libertadores opens with a 3-3 thriller, big away wins for Racing & Barcelona SC, and a strong start for Cerro Porteño at home.
Home teams dominate CAF quarterfinal first legs—except MC Alger. Pyramids shine with 4-1 win, three others edge narrow 1-0 victories.
Maccabi Tel Aviv secures a historic 3-1 away win over Hapoel Be’er Sheva, reclaiming first place in the Israeli playoff race.
Palestine’s Omar Faraj tied an Allsvenskan record with five goals for Degerfors, earning a rare 10/10 rating across multiple score apps. Here's all you need to know about the Swedish-Palestinian sensation.
Eight teams remain as Africa’s top clubs gear up for blockbuster CAF Champions League quarter-finals starting 1 April.
Goals from Ahmad Faqa and veteran Omar Al Somah mark a triumphant and symbolic return to international football for Syria after regime change.
Al-Nassr’s shock loss dents ACL hopes as Al-Ittihad go top, Al-Hilal held in derby, and Al-Ahli thrash Al-Fayha in Saudi Pro League drama.