Hapoel Tel Aviv Stages Late Comeback to Reach Toto Cup Final

In a dramatic Toto Cup semi-final match on Sunday in Petah Tikva, Hapoel Tel Aviv overturned a late deficit to defeat Ironi Kiryat Shmona 2-1 and advance to the final for the second consecutive year. Kiryat Shmona took an early lead in the 6th minute when Shay Ben David’s shot from outside the box was deflected by Adrian Ugurisa, wrong-footing Hapoel goalkeeper Assaf Tzur. Hapoel responded quickly and nearly equalized in the 13th minute when El Yam Kancepolsky’s angled shot hit the post.

The match shifted in the 30th minute when Kiryat Shmona’s Ofir Benbenishti received a second yellow card, reducing his team to ten players. Hapoel increased pressure but was repeatedly denied by Kiryat Shmona’s goalkeeper, Liubisavljevic. In the 85th minute, Kiryat Shmona’s coach Shay Barda was sent off for protesting a substitution delay under new rules.

In stoppage time, Liubisavljevic made a crucial save at the goal line in the 95th minute, but two minutes later Hapoel equalized when Kancepolsky crossed to Dafé, who headed in to make it 1-1. The drama continued in the 99th minute as Douglas Aveso’s shot was deflected by Dafé into the net, completing his brace and securing a 2-1 victory for Hapoel Tel Aviv. This win sets up the first-ever Toto Cup final derby between Hapoel Tel Aviv and their city rivals.