Hapoel Be'er Sheva Stuns Maccabi Haifa in 5-2 Victory

Hapoel Be'er Sheva secured their biggest league win of the season, defeating Maccabi Haifa 5-2 at Sammy Ofer Stadium on Monday. The victory propelled the team to third place in the league standings with 19 points, level with second-place Hapoel Tel Aviv and one point behind league leaders Maccabi Tel Aviv. The team played with a depleted squad, missing key midfielders Eliel Peretz and Lucas Ventura, who are expected to be out for upcoming games. This win came after a disappointing 4-0 loss to Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League on Thursday.

Despite a scoreless first half, Hapoel Be'er Sheva exploded in the second, scoring three goals in six minutes to seal the decisive victory. Several players were lauded for their performances, including Igor Zlatanović, who scored twice, goalkeeper Ofir Marciano for saving a penalty and making another crucial save, Forson Amankwah for his recent scoring form, young midfielder Niv Yehoshua for his leadership, and veteran defender Miguel Vítor for his strong play. However, the most praised player was defender Jibril Diop.

Diop, a Senegalese center-back, had been the subject of significant criticism from media and fans alike for his role in several crucial goals conceded by the team. Coach Ran Kozuch had previously defended Diop, even criticizing fans for their treatment of players, citing instances like an attempted physical assault on Marciano. Against Maccabi Haifa, Diop scored his first goal for the club and delivered a high-level performance, earning chants from the crowd at the end of the match.

Kozuch acknowledged that his previous remarks about fan criticism might have been excessive, stating he wanted to show players how to support a teammate. He emphasized that Diop understood the message and demonstrated his commitment through his play. Captain Miguel Vítor also commented on Diop's performance, noting that such a game could significantly boost his confidence. Vítor described the win as crucial, instilling belief in the team's potential for a strong season.

The team dedicated the victory to 12-year-old Aviv Angel, who passed away last week after an illness. Players and staff wore shirts with Angel's picture, and Kozuch expressed condolences to the family. Addressing the recent Europa League loss, Kozuch stated the team focuses on itself and does not get swayed by external noise, highlighting the team's resilience despite quality differences in European competition.