Hapoel Be'er Sheva Unveils Lineup for Crucial Champions League Playoff in Baku

Hapoel Be'er Sheva is set to compete in the Champions League playoff round against Sabah FK in Baku, aiming to become the fourth Israeli team to reach the group stage since the league format change. The Israeli champions secured a 2-1 victory in the first leg held in Bucharest last week and now need to maintain their advantage in the return match at the Tofig Bahramov Stadium, where around 600 fans are supporting them.

Coach Ran Kojuch retained the same starting lineup from the first leg, with Pedro Amador playing left back and Itay Rotman partnering Miguel Vitor in central defense. Jebon East and Zahi Ahmed flank Igor Zlatanovic in the attacking trio. Sabah FK, led by Serbian striker Veliko Simic who has scored six goals in the qualifiers, made a notable change by dropping Ksanther Sabrina from the starting eleven.

The match carries significant financial and sporting implications, as Hapoel Be'er Sheva could become the first Israeli club from the southern region to enter the Champions League group stage, following in the footsteps of Maccabi Haifa, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Hapoel Tel Aviv. The teams' lineups are as follows: Sabah FK fields Stas Pokatilov, Steve Solva, Akim Zadadka, Rahman Dashdamirov, Timoteusz Puchacz, Ivan Lepinitsa, Omrali Rahmonaliev, Christian Novacov, Veliko Simic, Kahim Paris, and Joy Lance Mikels. Hapoel Be'er Sheva starts with Ofir Marciano, Guy Mizrahi, Miguel Vitor, Itay Rotman, Pedro Amador, Lucas Ventura, Niv Yehoshua, Eliel Peretz, Jebon East, Zahi Ahmed, and Igor Zlatanovic.

The outcome of this match will determine if Hapoel Be'er Sheva secures a historic spot in the Champions League group stage, bringing substantial revenue and prestige to the club and Israeli football.