Hapoel Haifa Secures Dramatic Late Victory Over Maccabi Petah Tikva

Hapoel Haifa returned from the international break with a crucial 2-1 win against Maccabi Petah Tikva on Saturday, temporarily moving up to fifth place in the Israeli Premier League standings with nine points from a possible eighteen. After Alon Turgeman’s early lead was nullified, substitute Itay Zafrani scored in the 84th minute, a goal that appeared to be the winner. However, VAR intervened and controversially disallowed the goal, a decision the club decried as "very strange" and "a bad decision," adding that VAR was "very lucky that justice was done in other ways." In the depths of stoppage time, Sali Fahima found the net in a dramatic fashion, securing three points for coach Haim Silvas.

"I was very, very afraid that a break of three weeks would put us to sleep, I'm glad that didn't happen," said team owner Yoav Katz in an interview with Sport Channel. "On the other hand, we need to improve to get where we want to go. The goal is to reach the upper playoff, and there is a team that can do it. I hope we continue to see our players try hard and work hard. There are strong teams competing with us."

In the upcoming round, Hapoel Haifa will host Hapoel Ramat Gan. This week, efforts will be made to clear injured players William Agada and Tal Naim, who were not in the squad on Saturday. Defender Ariel Mendi delivered another excellent performance, overcoming a calf strain that had caused him to miss several training sessions and making his availability for the match uncertain. Compliments were also given to Sali Fahima and Itay Zafrani, who came off the bench and impressed.

Following the dramatic victory, Hapoel Haifa hosted Oren Agmon, the father of fallen soldier Sergeant Major Adam Agmon, who was killed on October 7th. "My Adam was also a footballer; what distinguished him was not giving up until the last minute, and that's what happened today," said the bereaved father, emotionally. "You have no idea how important and moving it is for me to be here. These are the hours when I breathe a little with Adam, when I remember him, when it's part of me. You allow me to continue living."