Hapoel Be'er Sheva's Cunning Left in Israel During AZ Alkmaar Loss

Hapoel Be'er Sheva experienced a defensive struggle against AZ Alkmaar, reminiscent of their away match against Red Star Belgrade, where they were pushed back and struggled to press high.

In their previous Champions League qualifier against Red Star, this defensive approach was accompanied by a spark of cunning that led to goals and advancement. However, against AZ Alkmaar, only the responsibility remained, with the "cunning" staying in Israel. While the previous 0-0 draw against Dinamo Zagreb felt like a compromise for Be'er Sheva, the match against Alkmaar was a deliberate game plan focused solely on preventing goals.

Be'er Sheva executed this defensive strategy effectively, showcasing an ability to compete against superior opponents. In the first half, they limited Alkmaar to a single shot on target and, aside from a few turnovers, experienced few anxious moments. This performance, though uncharacteristic, demonstrated significant character.

The team's defensive fragility became apparent in the second half, particularly with Djibril Diop in central defense. A mistake by Diop in the 49th minute led to the opening goal by Koopmeiners. Trailing, Be'er Sheva was forced to revert to their usual attacking style, which came naturally. They equalized in the 55th minute through Forson after pressure from Zlatanovic and a steal by Zahi Ahmed.

However, another error by Diop in the 77th minute resulted in a penalty, converted by Max Mardenink, sealing the loss for Be'er Sheva. The article suggests that Be'er Sheva lost more to their own internal mistakes than to their opponent.