Hapoel Tel Aviv opened its previous season in the National League, seven years ago, with a 0:3 in Rishon Lezion and continued all the way to a rapid rise. This season is also her clear goal, but this time it is a completely different start – with a surprising loss in the first round. Masai Dago placed the newly joined Goni Naor in the lineup and saw quite clear control in the first half, including a crossbar from Milan McCaritch and situations from Ari Cohen and Stav Toriel. The latter also established a justified advantage in the 55th minute with a goal straight from the horn flag, but unlike the semi-finals of the Toto Cup – this time the Oranges knew how to reverse the result. Dor Jan equalized with a great turn in the box in the 70th minute and the stopper Roi Zarihan stunned with a winning strike four minutes to the end. This was not what the thousands of fans who came to the Haberfeld Stadium were expecting. And on Thursday, another difficult meeting awaits them, in Bloomfield against the second relegated Hapoel Petah Tikva. Rishon LeZion celebrated its first league victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv since May 2002, when they were together in the Premier League.
7th minute: Ganis picked up well from the left, McCaritch shot from five meters to the crossbar and out.
55th minute: Goal! After Dodo headed down Larry Cohen and Empanda saved right from the goal line, Hapoel Tel Aviv received a corner from the right and Toriel turned left directly into the net, when Sasson missed the clearance attempt in front of the line and Yanko did not react. 0:1 for the guest.
60th minute: Toriel broke free on the right side and turned to the left towards the far connections, the page was cleared to the crossbar.
70th minute: Goal! Jan received a ball 12 meters from the goal on the right side, turned on Israelov and shot sharp and flat into the net to equalize 1:1 for Hapoel Rishon Lezion.
86th minute: Goal! An amazing transformation of the hostess. Israelov went far in front of the line after a corner, the ball made a high arc and landed on the head of Zarihan who hit it in. 1:2 to Hapoel Rishon LeZion.
