Zahi Ahmad Propels Hapoel Be'er Sheva Toward Champions League Playoff with Win Over Red Star Belgrade

Zahi Ahmad, a 25-year-old forward from the small Galilee village of Abu Snan, emerged as the hero for Hapoel Be'er Sheva in their crucial Champions League qualifier against Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday. Having joined Be'er Sheva less than three years ago from Hapoel Acre, Ahmad scored the only goal of the match, securing a 1-0 victory for the Israeli champions and giving them a significant advantage ahead of the second leg at the Marakana Stadium next week. This goal marked the most prestigious of Ahmad's career, following his earlier scoring against Vikingur in the previous round.

Coach Ran Kozuch praised Ahmad's relentless effort, noting his defensive contributions and high pressing throughout the game. Kozuch acknowledged the challenge posed by Red Star, especially after the team's player Matan Baltaksa was sent off in the 58th minute, but emphasized the team's tactical discipline and courage. He described the victory as a result of the players' passion and belief, while cautioning that the tie remains open and the team must stay humble.

The win brings Be'er Sheva just 90 minutes, or 120 with extra time, away from the Champions League playoff round, where they could face either Danish side Aarhus or Azerbaijani club Sabah. Advancing would secure a 5.5 million euro bonus on top of the 3 million euros already guaranteed, with a group stage berth potentially earning the club around 18 million euros.

Despite being heavy underdogs against a Red Star team with a budget six times larger, Be'er Sheva's performance was confident and organized. The match was also the first without key player Kings Kangwa, who recently transferred to Panathinaikos. Coach Kozuch replaced him with Eliel Peretz, who, alongside Lucas Ventura and Niv Yehoshua, controlled the midfield effectively. Other tactical decisions, such as starting Itay Rotman in central defense and Javon East upfront, also paid off. Red Star struggled to create chances, and a costly error by their goalkeeper Matheus Magalhaes in the 38th minute allowed Ahmad to score the decisive goal.

Be'er Sheva continues to strengthen their squad ahead of the playoff round, aiming to add a replacement for Kangwa and another central defender. The club now prepares for a challenging away leg in one of Europe's toughest stadiums, determined to advance further in the competition.