Hapoel Haifa Draws With Champion Hapoel Be'er Sheva After Dramatic Comeback

Hapoel Haifa secured a valuable point in a dramatic 2-2 draw against champions Hapoel Be'er Sheva at Toto Turner Stadium on Wednesday. The team, trailing twice, managed to equalize in the final moments of stoppage time, showcasing significant resilience.

After a lackluster first half, Hapoel Haifa, coached by Haim Silvas, adopted a different approach in the second half. Alon Turgeman scored a stunning equalizer, and even after conceding again, the team fought back until the very end to salvage the draw. Silvas acknowledged the team's attacking patterns were not effective initially but praised their character and fighting spirit, noting that coming back twice at Turner Stadium was unprecedented in his experience.

Naor Sabag scored the decisive penalty in the dying seconds. He expressed feeling underrated but confident in his abilities, stating his belief in what he can contribute throughout his career. Sabag, a key player for Hapoel Haifa, also reflected on his time at Hapoel Be'er Sheva, mentioning that coaching changes affected his opportunities there, making the late goal particularly special as he is from Be'er Sheva and his family supports the club.

Owner Yoav Katz emphasized that "character won," crediting the players' effort for overcoming defensive errors and securing a "draw of sacrifice." He admitted the defense had issues, and Be'er Sheva could have scored more, but praised the team's great character and luck. Katz set a goal for the next match against Maccabi Netanya, aiming for a win to achieve an "unusual achievement."

Silvas reiterated that the message from the game was that the players' capabilities are limitless. He stated that while the team might lose games playing offensively, it will build belief and momentum. He concluded that if they could achieve a draw at Turner on an off day, they are capable of any result.

In related news, Hapoel Haifa is expected to sign Anis Porat Ayash on loan from Maccabi Tel Aviv for a second season, likely concluding their summer transfer window activity.