Hapoel Be'er Sheva Coach Criticizes Team After 4-0 Toto Cup Loss Ahead of Crucial Champions League Playoff

On August 15, 2026, Hapoel Be'er Sheva suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Hapoel Haifa in a Toto Cup ranking match, fielding a second-string lineup. The loss came just before one of the most important games in the club's history, the Champions League playoff, scheduled for Wednesday. Coach Ran Kozuch expressed strong frustration after the match, calling the team's performance "disgraceful" and emphasizing that regardless of the lineup, Be'er Sheva must always play like themselves. He apologized to the fans and made clear his anger stemmed from the team's lack of consistent effort.

Looking ahead to the Champions League playoff against Red Star Belgrade, Kozuch stressed the significance of the match, calling it the most important in the club's history. He acknowledged the challenge posed by Red Star but expressed hope that this time the club would succeed where it had previously failed. Kozuch highlighted the need for attention to detail and consistent attitude, demanding the team show up fully for the upcoming game.

Hapoel Haifa coach Haim Silvas praised his team's dominant performance and criticized the league's scheduling decisions. He lamented the postponement of Be'er Sheva's opening league match, which he felt was unfairly imposed without consulting his team, despite the need to accommodate clubs playing in European competitions. Silvas expressed disappointment that his team was not properly considered in the scheduling, though he acknowledged the importance of supporting Israeli clubs in Europe.

The Toto Cup match served as a final rehearsal before the crucial Champions League qualifier, underscoring the contrasting moods between the two clubs ahead of the new season.