Hapoel Tel Aviv Climbs to Top of League After Dramatic Win

Hapoel Tel Aviv secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over reigning champions Hapoel Be'er Sheva on Sunday, with a 91st-minute goal from Roey Elkokayn propelling the team to the top of the Israeli Premier League. This win marks Hapoel Tel Aviv's sixth consecutive league victory, a feat not achieved in 15 years, and sends them into the international break as league leaders. The team's impressive run includes a Toto Cup win against Maccabi Tel Aviv and a victory over Maccabi Haifa.

While Hapoel Tel Aviv boasts a strong squad of eight foreign players, the decisive goal was orchestrated by young Israeli talent, dubbed "Brada's babies." The play involved a defensive effort by Mayembo, an assist from El-Yam Kantsopulsky to Daniel Dapa, who then set up Elkokayn for the winning strike. Elkokayn, who was an unknown player in the second division until last August, is now on the verge of being called up to the Israeli national team.

Hapoel Tel Aviv is the only team with eight wins in its first ten league games this season and boasts a formidable defense, having conceded only six goals. "Incredible euphoria, there's no feeling like it in the world," said Elkokayn after the match. "To win in a tough stadium and go up to first place. Since I joined the seniors, I've had a progress graph. We always want to win. We only moved up a league two years ago, but we are aiming as far as possible. If we continue at our pace until March-April, we can talk about the championship."

Coach Aliniv Brada, who previously managed Be'er Sheva, expressed his excitement about the win, especially returning to Turner Stadium. "It was a very high-level tactical game from both teams. A fairly even game with chances for both sides," Brada stated. "We need to continue with the same approach against the big teams and the small teams. It's fun to win season games, but every game is for three points. The preparation for each game must be the same. I always want to be the best, I always aspire to the highest. If we are there in the decisive moments of the season, we will not be afraid to go for it with all our might. The fight will be close and tight until the end."

The team is performing well despite the absence of top scorers Stav Turel and Emmanuel Botang, who are expected to return after the break. Daniel Dapa will use the break to enlist in the IDF for his military service. The defense, featuring players like Mayembo, Chico, Lilindal, Koko, and goalkeeper Assaf Tzur, has been praised for its solidity.