Hapoel Be'er Sheva Upsets Red Star Belgrade 1-0 in Champions League Qualifier First Leg

Hapoel Be'er Sheva secured a significant 1-0 away victory against Red Star Belgrade in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round on Tuesday. Despite being clear underdogs and adjusting to life without their star player Kings Kangwa, who has yet to be replaced, Be'er Sheva impressed with a disciplined performance in Hungary. The winning goal came from Zahy Ahmed, who also played a key defensive role, helping the team maintain a clean sheet even after midfielder Matan Baltaxa was sent off with two yellow cards in the same sequence during the second half.

Coach Ran Kozuch praised his team's resilience under pressure, stating, "We knew it would be tough, we knew we would have to endure suffering. The high pressure is what distinguishes us and gives us many advantages." He acknowledged the challenge ahead, emphasizing the quality of the opponent and the difficulty of playing at Red Star's home stadium in the return leg next week. Kozuch expressed pride in his players' performance and highlighted the team's ongoing rebuilding process, noting they are actively seeking a replacement for Kangwa and an additional defender to strengthen the squad.

The victory provides Hapoel Be'er Sheva with a valuable advantage going into the second leg, but Kozuch warned against underestimating Red Star Belgrade. He reflected on the final moments of the match, where his team had to defend deeply, saying, "In football, you have to know how to do everything." Zahy Ahmed was singled out for his significant contribution both offensively and defensively, adding intensity and heart to the team on the field.