Maccabi Tel Aviv edged Maccabi Netanya 1-0 as Helio Varela scored the decisive goal following a gorgeous team move in the first half, punching the yellow-and-blue’s ticket to the Toto Cup final, where it will meet Hapoel Tel Aviv in a derby duel.
Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach Kenny Miller spoke about the win.
“We were very good in the first half, and in the second half we were under pressure. We took our chances in the first half and defended in the second half. It would have been good to get a second goal to relieve the pressure, but we made it through, and we’ll play a derby. As for Dor Peretz playing the full 90 minutes, we needed to play as strong a team as possible to get to the final, and it was all hands on deck.”
Netanya left frustrated after narrow defeat
Maccabi Netanya head coach Roni Levy looked back at the loss.
“We are very disappointed with the game. While we were in the game the entire time, we also had chances to score and draw even, and we just didn’t. But we now have the start of the season coming up, and we see that we have a great connection with the fans, so we’re really looking forward.”
Sayed Abu Farhi talked about his status with Maccabi.
“I don’t know if this was the last game for me, but I’m still a Maccabi Tel Aviv player. I’m a player that will go out and give everything that I have until the last moment, and I’m thrilled we advanced to the final. I’d be telling you a lie if I didn’t say that I wanted to go abroad; it’s a dream of many footballers. As for advancing to Europe, all of the guys want to be in a continental competition and we will do our best to get there. While Maccabi always aims as high as possible, it’s disappointing not to be in the Europa League, but we will do our best to get to the Conference League against Lugano.”
Amit Cohen also spoke about the match.
“We played well and we really controlled the game, but we couldn’t find the back of the net. We wanted to make it to the final, but now we’re on to the league season. The atmosphere was just incredible, and we didn’t have it last year when we were in the relegation playoffs, so for a player and a club like Maccabi Netanya, this was great.”
Varela's first-half strike proves decisive
Matheus Davo came flying in on the right flank, but his cross just missed the mark in the box as Netanya looked to get off to a quick start, while Bassam Zarora’s attempt was smothered by goalkeeper Ofek Melika. However, the tide began to turn as Maccabi Tel Aviv took the lead when Varela polished off a beautiful team passing play that Peretz and Abu Farhi took part in.
The Diamond City squad began to push for the equalizer as Yarin Abuhatzira had the ball at his feet in the box, but was stripped by Peretz before he could get a shot off.
Zarora’s next chance just skipped past the left post and went out, while Maor Levi found Davo in the box, but his header flew well over the bar as the yellow-and-blue took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
Miller’s charges looked to double their advantage and attacked the goal early, but Zarora had a brilliant chance from long distance that just went over the bar, while Davo’s header also missed the mark.
Peretz’s smart shot was saved by Da Silva, while Dolev Haziza’s attempt was stopped by Melika. At the other end, Ilay Ben Simol’s wild shot in the box went flying out of play.
Davo had another terrific chance in front of the goal but missed wide; Karem Jaber’s opportunity went just past the left post, while Zarora tried to feed Davo inside the box, but Melika made the save. Netanya kept pressing for the tying goal but came up short as they fell to Maccabi and were eliminated from the Toto Cup.
Dappa's late brace sends Hapoel into derby final
In Petah Tikva, meanwhile, Hapoel Tel Aviv downed Ironi Kiryat Shmona 2-1 as Daniel Dappa scored a pair of late goals to snatch the victory and send the Reds into the Toto Cup final, where it will look to beat archrival Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Adrián Ugarriza scored to give the Northerners the lead in the sixth minute, but Ofir Benbenisti was issued a pair of yellow cards and was sent off with a red, leaving Shay Barda’s squad with just 10 men 25 minutes later.
Hapoel pushed for the equalizer and continued to come up short. However, in the 85th minute, Barda himself was sent off, giving Elyaniv Barda’s team hope of breaking down Kiryat Shemona’s stingy defense, which they finally did during second-half injury time.
Dappa scored his first of two goals in the 97th minute via a header and then nodded home a Douglas Owusu ball two minutes later to snatch the win from the jaws of defeat.
Hapoel celebrates dramatic comeback victory
Hapoel Tel Aviv head coach Elyaniv Barda reflected on his club’s victory.
“Apparently, we like the drama. At halftime, we talked about how we needed to be more precise in our actions and move the ball better. We did that excellently in the second half, but the ball simply refused to go in. We created a lot of chances, and their players cleared the ball off the goal line. Kiryat Shmona’s defensive performance was excellent.”
Kiryat Shmona coach Shay Barda talked about the devastating defeat.
“I was taught to look at things and choose the good. I salute my players. In the first 30 minutes, we controlled the game, scored and did what we needed to do. In the end, there was a lot of excitement, and it wasn’t coming from my players. In football, before the letter of the law, there is the law of common sense.”
The hero of the evening, Dappa, also shared his thoughts.
“I’m sure I imagined moments like this when I signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv. It’s exciting to see the fans and this club celebrating like this. Last season was a season of learning, gaining experience, and improving. As for the upcoming season? Only God knows what will happen. Whenever the team needs me, I’ll be there. There are a lot of experienced players here who help me, and the coaching staff works with me.”
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