Sabah Eliminates Hapoel Be'er Sheva With Late Goal in Champions League Playoff
Hapoel Be'er Sheva came agonizingly close to qualifying for the UEFA Champions League but conceded a late goal to Sabah FC on Tuesday, resulting in a 5-2 defeat and a painful elimination. The Israeli club was just 18 seconds away from a historic advancement before Sabah scored in the 94th minute, a decisive moment that shifted the momentum and sealed Be'er Sheva's fate.
Sabah players and fans celebrated the victory, highlighting the team's mental resilience and strategic game management. Despite fatigue, Sabah maintained focus and capitalized on two second-half goals from substitutes, which proved critical. Local QOL commentators called the win historic, noting Sabah's rise despite being unseeded in all their qualifying matches.
Founded only eight years ago, Sabah's rapid progress to the Champions League group stage marks a significant achievement. The team's coach, Valdas Dambrauskas, received praise for his effective leadership in this landmark match. The result ended Be'er Sheva's hopes for a comeback and underscored Sabah's growing stature in European football.
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