Hapoel Tel Aviv Rebounds with 3-0 Victory After Derby Loss

Hapoel Tel Aviv secured a much-needed 3-0 win against Hapoel Petah Tikva, bouncing back after a significant derby defeat. Goals from Emmanuel Boateng in the 10th minute, Chico in the 17th, and an own goal by Hapoel P.T.'s Orr Israelov in the 55th minute sealed the victory for coach Eliniv Barda's team.

The opposing side, Hapoel Petah Tikva, struggled, with Karim Kimwidi receiving a second yellow card, leading to his expulsion. Hapoel P.T. coach Omer Peretz described his team's start as "very sluggish" and "very weak," noting that substitutions disrupted their play before the red card "finished us." Despite the loss, Peretz expressed confidence in his team's potential, stating, "I say with a full mouth after this blow that there is a very good team here and we will come back stronger after the break." He acknowledged the need to rebuild the team after many player departures and to rediscover their "DNA" before setting season goals.

Eliniv Barda reflected on the match, highlighting a strong first half where they "decided the game." He acknowledged the "shaking" four days following the derby loss, which he attributed to a red card and subsequent "bad momentum." Barda emphasized the importance of compensating the fans for "4 sleepless nights" and defended his team's rotation policy, citing the depth of the squad. He stated the team is "on a journey" and aims for a better season than the last, noting the fluctuating expectations from pundits.

Emmanuel Boateng called the win "very important" after a difficult week, emphasizing their good preparation and performance. He addressed criticism by stating, "The fans can criticize and say whatever they want, I just want to do my part." Goalkeeper Omer Katz admitted it was a "bad game" but expressed strong belief in the team's quality, anticipating improvement after the upcoming break. He took responsibility for the current situation, acknowledging that "it doesn't look good right now."