Hapoel Kiryat Shmona Draws Against Beitar Jerusalem After Controversial Penalty

Hapoel Kiryat Shmona ended a six-game losing streak by securing a 1-1 draw against Beitar Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium on Saturday. The team, coached by Shai Brada, earned a crucial point, with officials emphasizing the importance of every point given their current league standing. Kiryat Shmona felt they deserved at least a point, performing comparably to the second-place team for significant portions of the match.

The equalizer came in the 98th minute from Amadou Sagna, who converted a penalty awarded by referee Dekel Tsinu. The penalty was given for a foul by Beitar's Timothy Muzie inside the box, a decision that angered Beitar's camp.

Sources within Kiryat Shmona dismissed the criticism, stating that such calls tend to balance out over the season and that the foul was clear. "There was contact in the incident in question, and that's enough. The referee didn't come from home to screw Beitar or help Kiryat Shmona," they said.

In transfer news, free agent midfielder Yonatan Tepper has been offered to the club. Tepper was a potential target last summer, but a three-month suspension for his involvement in a controversy at Ironi Tiberias led Kiryat Shmona to move on. The club is now reconsidering signing him.

As Kiryat Shmona prepares to return to their home stadium, the team is also planning for the upcoming international break. They will embark on a special training camp starting November 16th, split between training in Kiryat Shmona and a team stay at Kibbutz Goshers. This northern camp was chosen as a gesture to local businesses and to reassure foreign players about training conditions in the area, after considering other locations like Eilat and central Israel.