Hapoel Be'er Sheva Secures Crucial 2-1 Win Over Sabah in Champions League Playoff

Hapoel Be'er Sheva celebrated a significant 2-1 victory against Azerbaijani club Sabah on Wednesday in the Champions League playoff first leg, marking a historic step toward group stage qualification. The match took place at the Bucharest stadium, which the team described as feeling like a home ground due to its excellent acoustics and close stands, creating a vibrant atmosphere that energized the players.

Coach Ran Kozuch and his staff were credited for their tactical preparation, anticipating Sabah's style of play that emphasizes ball possession and fast counterattacks. Kozuch's management of substitutions and game strategy was pivotal in securing the win. The team praised the players' resilience and focus throughout the challenging match, emphasizing that the victory was earned through effort rather than luck.

Midfielder Eliel Peretz was highlighted as the standout player, not only for his impressive on-field performance but also for his leadership behind the scenes. Although Peretz has yet to sign a contract extension for the next season, the club is interested in negotiating with him once the busy schedule eases. Following the departure of Kings Kangwa, Peretz is expected to take on a more prominent role.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva plans to strengthen the squad with two foreign signings before the transfer window closes, a move confirmed by Kozuch after the match. The team will travel to Baku on Saturday for the second leg, where they are allocated approximately 1,900 tickets for their supporters. Despite the advantage, the club acknowledges the tie is far from decided and stresses the need for heightened concentration to make history by advancing to the Champions League group stage.