Hapoel Be'er Sheva Disappointed After 2-1 Loss to Vikingur in Champions League Qualifier

Hapoel Be'er Sheva expressed significant disappointment following their 2-1 defeat to Vikingur in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers held in Iceland on Tuesday. The club acknowledged defensive weaknesses, describing their defense as "too soft" and conceding that every long ball from the opposition was "half a goal." Despite the loss, defenders Miguel Vitor and Ofir Marciano were praised for their efforts in goal and defense, with Vitor receiving particular commendation.

Midfielder Niv Yehoshua stood out by assisting Kings Kangwa's goal and having a goal disallowed, which sparked protests from his teammates. However, the team overall was criticized for a lack of quality, especially in forward play and wing attacks, which were described as weak and clumsy. The players also voiced frustration with the refereeing, questioning the offside call that nullified their goal and complaining about the extensive VAR reviews.

Regarding squad matters, Helder Lopes remains under contract and may return to active play if the club fails to sign a foreign defender. The team is actively seeking a central defender. Looking ahead, Be'er Sheva prepares for the return leg in Hungary on natural grass and in more favorable weather conditions, with player Matan Baltaksa's participation uncertain. The club remains optimistic that if the players can elevate their performance and quality, they have a real chance to advance to the next round.