Hapoel Be'er Sheva Denied Request to Postpone Toto Cup Match Against Hapoel Haifa

Following their qualification for the UEFA Champions League playoffs, Hapoel Be'er Sheva requested the Israeli Football Association and the league management to postpone their upcoming Toto Cup match against Hapoel Haifa scheduled for Saturday evening at 20:30. The club sought the delay to better prepare for their European fixtures, as the match falls just before their playoff games. However, the request was denied, and the match will proceed as planned on Saturday night at Sammy Ofer Stadium.

Coach Ran Kozuch announced he will field a secondary lineup, including players who do not usually start and possibly youth team members. This decision comes after the club was already granted a postponement for the opening round of the Israeli Premier League, where they are set to host Hapoel Haifa at Turner Stadium.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva is scheduled to play their first European playoff match against Sabah in Bucharest on Wednesday, August 19, at 22:00, followed by a second leg in Baku on Tuesday, August 25. The league's first round falls between these two European matches, but the club also wanted to postpone the Toto Cup game immediately preceding the playoffs. Despite their efforts, they must now compete in the Toto Cup match after returning to Israel on Saturday evening.