Hapoel Tel Aviv Advances in Conference League After 12 Years with Boateng’s Brace

Hapoel Tel Aviv secured their place in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League on Thursday, advancing after a 2-2 draw against Bulgaria’s Ludogorets, winning 4-2 on aggregate. This marks the club’s return to European competition after a 12-year absence. The team had won the first leg in Hungary and managed to hold on in the away leg despite a challenging match.

Coach Aloniv Breda praised his players’ commitment, rating it 100 out of 100, while acknowledging areas for improvement. He described Ludogorets as a very strong opponent and noted the difficulty of the draw, calling it the second toughest possible after Ajax. Breda emphasized the importance of avoiding mistakes in upcoming matches and expressed readiness to prepare for their next opponent, Polish side Katowice, anticipating another tough challenge.

Striker Emmanuel Boateng was the standout player, scoring both goals for Hapoel Tel Aviv. He expressed gratitude for the victory and reflected on his personal hardships, including the recent loss of his father, saying it was an emotional moment to score after such a difficult period. Boateng credited the team’s hard work for their success.

Breda also thanked the Hapoel Tel Aviv fans who traveled to Bulgaria, highlighting their support as a crucial factor in creating a home-like atmosphere during the away matches. He noted the players’ joy in returning home happy after the victory.

Hapoel Tel Aviv now looks forward to continuing their European campaign with confidence as they prepare for the next qualifying round.