New Football Rule Leaves Kiryat Shmona With 10 Players, Influencing Dramatic Win for Hapoel Tel Aviv

Hapoel Tel Aviv secured a 2-1 victory over Ironi Kiryat Shmona on August 16, 2026, thanks to a dramatic brace by Daniel Dappa. A key moment that influenced the match was the implementation of a new football rule that temporarily reduced Kiryat Shmona to 10 players during the equalizing goal. Nemanja Ljubisavljevic, Kiryat Shmona's defender, was required to leave the field for at least one minute after receiving treatment for a leg cramp, as per the new regulation.

Sports analyst Ziv Adler explained the rule's significance, emphasizing its focus on reducing injury-related stoppages. When a player is injured and requires treatment, they must exit the field for a minimum of one minute unless the opposing player receives a yellow or red card. This rule aims to decrease the number of on-field treatments and includes a five-second count for throw-ins and goal kicks, after which the ball is awarded as a corner kick.

Ljubisavljevic commented on the incident, expressing uncertainty about the referee's decision but accepting it as final. He acknowledged the team's frustration over losing the match but praised their performance and potential, noting they played well even with ten men. Looking ahead, he mentioned the team's focus on upcoming league matches and their determination to continue improving despite the current disappointment.

The new rule's impact was pivotal in the match's outcome, highlighting how regulatory changes can influence game dynamics and team strategies.