The Israeli Cup eighth round (last 32) took place this week when the Premier League teams joined the games and started dreaming about a title this season.
The main event was the clash between the current cup holders, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, against the reigning champions, Maccabi Tel Aviv. Both teams didn't use their key players, and each had its reasons. Hapoel Be'er Sheva suffers from a long injuries list, as well as suspended players. Maccabi Tel Aviv is recovering from the first Europa League match against Shakhtar Donetsk, also watching for the second match away this week.
The match was balanced, and both teams were close to scoring. Maccabi Tel Aviv is known this season as a team that is not playing in the most attractive style, but still, they are finding the one winning goal. This time it happened in the 65th minute when a long-range shot came to Aleksandar Pešić, and the Serbian assisted to Dor Peretz, all the way to the net.
It was an early exit for Hapoel Be'er Sheva that would not defend their title. Maccabi Tel Aviv, which didn't win the cup since 2015, would like to keep to their journey, as they are aiming for the double.
Avoid The Giant-Killers
Maccabi Haifa had a busy week, with a series of suspended players after the Haifa derby incidents. Moreover, their prolific scorer, Nikita Rukavystya, is injured. With substitutes in the line-up, they faced the second-tier side, Hapoel Umm al-Fahm. Maccabi Haifa wouldn't be a clear favourite, as their opponents eliminated Maccabi Tel Aviv in the same round last season.
Maccabi Haifa scored first when Neta Lavi has done it in the 11th minute. Things were not as easy as they should be when Levan Kutalia equalized for Umm al-Fahm in the last minute of the first half. The match was close to an extra time, but Godsway Donyoh, who scored in the previous two league games, scored again. The Cameroonian's goal secured the win for Maccabi Haifa, 2-1.
The league leaders managed to qualify for the next round, but they will face problems in their next games without the suspended players.
(Almost) No Upsets
Most of the Israeli Premier League sides didn't have any problems with qualifying to the next stage. Beitar Jerusalem defeated Hapoel Acre from the second division 2-0. FC Ashdod is still in the tournament after a 3-1 win against Hapoel Ra'anana, and Hapoel Tel Aviv won 4-0 against Hapoel Ashkelon from the third tier.
The only top tier to be eliminated by an opponent from the lower division was Ironi Kiryat Shmona. They have been defeated 2-0 by Beitar Tel Aviv/Bat Yam from the second division, but it's not a complete surprise. This team is a feeder club of Maccabi Tel Aviv in the last years, and the squad is mostly composed of loaned players from their youth team. Beitar Tel Aviv/Bat Yam could be the new giant-killers this season.
Penalty Dramas
Cup games always bring drama, but two matches presented a complete penalty shootout saga.
Bnei Yehuda hosted Hapoel Haifa in Bloomfield stadium. Bnei Yehuda's newly appointed manager, Yossi Abukasis, is known as a knockout matches expert, including winning the last Israeli Cup with Hapoel Be'er Sheva. A 2-2 draw after 90 minutes and a 3-3 draw after the extra time, and both teams were ready for the penalty shootouts. It was a perfect duel when each team scored its first four shots. Alon Turgeman scored the fifth for Hapoel Haifa, put all the pressure on the 20-year-old Roei Ben Shimon. The youngster missed the shot, and Bnei Yehuda faced an early elimination.
Another long thriller was in the match between Beitar Nordia Jerusalem and Moadon Sport Tira. The two from the third division had a long shootout that was decided only in the 13th round. Daniel Tassao scored the decisive kick for Nordia, while Ran Rol missed for Tira. Nordia won 10-9 and qualified to the cup's round of 16 for the first time.
Thumbnail photo by Maccabi Tel Aviv FC.
It was supposed to be a night of great Israeli football, as Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Netanya were looking for their first trophy after a long time. The Israeli Cup final ended in a completely different way.