Hapoel Be'er Sheva Poised for Historic Champions League Qualification After Big Win in Belgrade

Hapoel Be'er Sheva is now focused on facing Sabah, the Azerbaijani champions, in their upcoming Champions League qualifier, aiming to become the fourth Israeli team to reach the group stage after Hapoel Tel Aviv, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Maccabi Haifa. Despite initial doubts about their chances against Red Star Belgrade, Be'er Sheva's impressive performance in Belgrade has sparked optimism for a historic advancement.

Coach Ran Kozuch received widespread praise for his tactical mastery and disciplined team management, which was evident in the team's well-organized defense and effective counterattacks. The match highlighted the collective strength of the squad, diminishing the need to rely on individual stars like former key player Kings Kangwa. Standout player Javon East was named man of the match for his relentless work rate, goal, and assist, marking his best performance since joining the club.

Kozuch's ability to develop players was also noted, with goalkeeper Ofir Marciano and defenders Guy Mizrahi and Itay Rotman showing significant improvement. The team’s depth will be crucial as they prepare for a demanding schedule involving European and domestic competitions. Captain Miguel Vitor, initially thought to be on his way out, has proven to be a vital leader at 37 years old.

The article emphasizes that despite the smaller budget compared to Red Star Belgrade, Hapoel Be'er Sheva's cohesive and well-trained squad outperformed their opponents, who were described as disorganized and unprofessional. The club is expected to strengthen further and is considered a strong contender for another Israeli championship. The next decisive match against Sabah in Bucharest will determine if Be'er Sheva secures a place in the Champions League group stage.

Summary: Hapoel Be'er Sheva delivered a commanding win over Red Star Belgrade, positioning themselves for a historic Champions League group stage qualification as they prepare to face Sabah in the next round. Coach Ran Kozuch’s tactical expertise and the team’s collective effort were key to their success.

Points: - Hapoel Be'er Sheva aims to become the fourth Israeli team in the Champions League group stage. - The team defeated Red Star Belgrade impressively in Belgrade under coach Ran Kozuch. - Javon East was the standout player with a goal and assist in a disciplined team effort. - Coach Kozuch has developed several players, including goalkeeper Ofir Marciano and defenders. - Captain Miguel Vitor, 37, has emerged as a key leader despite initial doubts. - The next match against Azerbaijani champions Sabah will decide their Champions League fate.

Topic: sports israel_relevant: true Entities: {"people":["Ran Kozuch","Miguel Vitor","Kings Kangwa","Javon East","Ofir Marciano","Guy Mizrahi","Itay Rotman"],"organizations":["Hapoel Be'er Sheva","Red Star Belgrade","Sabah","XI MOBILITY","Sport 5"],"places":["Belgrade","Bucharest","Azerbaijan","Israel"]}