The Israeli State Cup is back! The annual competition sees the top teams from the first division search for football glory, while the lower tier clubs try their luck in what is an opportunity of a lifetime by upsetting one of the Premier League teams, like any side in the country has a chance to lift the trophy at the end of the tournament.
Many of the smaller teams, the so-called minnows, were already playing prior to the round of 32, including the 14 teams from the first division and 18 others from the various other leagues in Israel.
Beitar Jerusalem narrowly missed Kiryat Yam 2-2 (5-4 on penalties) as the Yellow and Blacks were almost eliminated from the tournament, but were saved by a late stoppage time goal from Mayron George in the second half, leaving the match in doubt came up and send it to overtime. After no goals were scored in the extra session, Yarden Shua scored the decisive penalty to send Beitar to the round of 16.
Adi Yona gave Barak Itzhaki’s team a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute, but a pair of late second-half goals from Moshe Golan and Gil Hadad gave Maor Siso’s team the shock 2-1 lead. However, George came up big in stoppage time to draw Beitar level and prevent the top division team from an early upset in the competition.
Beitar Jerusalem fans storm the field after the Israeli State Cup match between Maccabi Netanya and Beitar Jerusalem at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa, May 23, 2023. (credit: OREN BEN HAKOON/FLASH90)
“I’m not someone who doesn’t have gray hair,” Beitar coach Barak Itzhaki said. “But before we start, I want to say how well Kiryat Yam played – they played a great match here. We knew it would be difficult; we sent our staff to film them ahead of this match and followed them closely. They play great football and usually control their games in the league, which is what they did against us. Kudos to them.”
Kiryat Yam head coach Maor Siso also spoke about his team’s play.
“I didn’t expect the boys to look like this. They prepared for Beitar at the highest possible level and the boys put on a great show, delighting the whole team and our fans, who have great expectations from them. There are people behind the scenes here at Premier League level with great circumstances, whether it’s nutritionists, nutritional supplements and more. The ambition of this club is to reach as high as possible. We’ve seen Bnei Reineh and Ness Ziona do it, and I hope we see this club do the same.”
Maccabi Haifa crushed Ironi Ashkelon 8-0 as Gadi Kinda scored a goal and provided three assists, while Omer Dahan added a brace. Matias Nahuel, Eitan Azoulay and Iyad Khalaili also scored in the win.
“I have to commend Ashkelon for coming and enjoying the experience,” said Greens head coach Barak Bachar. “We saw a lower league team come in and try to break us down and compete, and they didn’t lose pace for 90 minutes.”
At Bloomfield Stadium, Maccabi Tel Aviv beat Hapoel Jerusalem 3-0 after second-half goals from Eran Zahavi, Elad Madmon and Osher Davida to reach the round of 16.
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“It was a tough match, as we expected, against a tough opponent who was aggressive,” said yellow-blue bench boss Zarko Lazetic. “In this match, unlike other teams in the league defending against us, Jerusalem put us under pressure, and that was surprising. This is a very important victory in the run-up to our upcoming matches. Many players got into the rhythm; I expected better power in the second half, and they delivered that, and I’m happy with that.”
Meanwhile, Ashdod SC edged past Hapoel Afula 4-3 in extra time as Muhammed Knaan, who scored a pair of goals alongside Stav Nachmani, found the back of the net in the extra session to send Eli Levy’s side into the next round.
Elsewhere, Hapoel Hadera defeated Hapoel Beit Shean 2-1 as Omer Senior’s 62nd-minute goal gave Asaf Nimni’s side victory and advanced.
Hapoel Tel Aviv also defeated Premier League side Ironi Tiberias 2-0 as the Leumit Reds reached the round of 16 thanks to goals from Stav Turiel and Milan Makaric for Elyaniv Barda’s side.
“We had a lot of good minutes and we did things that worked well,” Barda said. “Our team is not behind many teams in the Premier League. This match was very important so that we understand how much more we can get from this team.”
In other matches, Hapoel Beersheba cruised past Dimona 4-0 in a one-sided match that saw Zahi Ahmad open the scoring for Ron Kozuk’s team, while Antonio Sefer added a brace and an assist to Alon Turgeman’s goal to seal the win.
Bnei Sakhnin just won against Ironi Modiin 3-3 (4-2 on penalties), as Slobodan Drapic’s team almost fell to League table leader Alef South.
Ahmad Salman and Alexandre Ramalingom gave Sakhnin a 2-0 lead, but Yarin Machluf and Almog Pinto even drew Modiin in the 90th minute. Salman gave the hosts the lead again in extra time, but Eli Elbaz leveled the match at 3-3 and sent penalties. Modiin missed a pair from the spot, and Omer Abuhav slotted home the winner to send Sakhnin into the round of 16.
Hapoel Haifa just won against Hapoel Petah Tikva 1-1 (5-3 on penalties) in an entertaining match at the Sammy Ofer Stadium.
Chipyoka Songa gave the Leumit team a 1-0 lead, but super striker Guy Melamed scored a penalty in the 67th minute to even the Carmel Reds to 1-1. In the penalty shootout, Ben Zubel missed his attempt, while Oren Bitton scored on his to hand victory to Roni Levy’s team.
Bnei Reineh defeated Hapoel Kfar Shalem 3-0 as Sayed Abu Farhi, Muhammed Shaker and Saar Fadida all scored to send Sharon Mimer’s team to the next round.
Maccabi Netanya made it 2-0 to Hapoel Um El Fahm after second-half goals from Rotem Keller and a penalty from Maor Levi, allowing them to advance in the competition.
Maccabi Petah Tikva defeated Ironi Kiryat Shmona 2-0 in an all-Premier League clash as Vitalie Damascan and Niv Yehoshua found the back of the net to grab the victory.
Hapoel Ramat Gan dropped Bnei Yehuda 2-2 (6-5 on penalties) when ‘keeper Itamar Israeli stopped Yuval Fiben to send the hosts to the next round.
Other moves included Ironi Ramat Hasharon sliding past Maccabi Herzliya 1-0 on Uri Azzo’s goal, Beitar Nordia Jerusalem past Hapoel Raanana 4-2 and Hapoel Acre beating Tzieri Um El Fahm 2-0.
The round of 16 will consist of: Hapoel Haifa vs Hapoel Tel Aviv; Hapoel Beersheba vs Hapoel Hadera; Hapoel Acre vs. Beitar Jerusalem; Maccabi Haifa vs Maccabi Netanya; Beitar Nordia vs. Ashdod SC; Maccabi Petah Tikva vs Bnei Sakhnin; Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Bnei Reineh; and Hapoel Ramat Gan vs. Ironi Ramat Hasharon.
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