Hapoel Tel Aviv riding high into derby with Toto Cup glory on the line

The victory keeps Hapoel Tel Aviv firmly in the mix near the top of the table, alongside the likes of Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Beersheba, and Maccabi Haifa.

Hapoel Tel Aviv rolled into Teddy Stadium this week with more than 7,000 fans behind them and rolled out with a dominant 3-0 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem.

After struggling to break down the capital city Reds in the first half, Elyaniv Barda’s side found its rhythm after the break, producing a convincing performance that sets the Reds up nicely on several fronts.

The victory keeps Hapoel Tel Aviv firmly in the mix near the top of the table, alongside the likes of Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Beersheba, and Maccabi Haifa. Just as importantly, the three goals were not the product of fortunate deflections or scrappy finishes. These were quality strikes and well-worked moves that would make any football aficionado appreciate the beautiful game.

Daniel Dappa’s strike near the end of the first half was a work of art, while Omri Altman’s goal came at the end of a brilliant move featuring a gorgeous backheel from Yannick Leliendal. The final goal was another Leliendal creation, as the attacker delivered a cross into the box for Roie Alkukin to finish emphatically.

Game. Set. Match.

Final represents chance to climb back

Some may argue that the Toto Cup is a secondary competition, but both teams understand that this final means much more than simply adding another trophy to the cabinet. For Hapoel Tel Aviv, it represents a chance to continue its climb back toward the top of Israeli football after spending time in the Leumit League twice over the past decade. Winning a title against Maccabi would provide another significant milestone in that journey.

Barda understands the importance of the occasion and will have his team ready to compete for the trophy.

“When I joined Hapoel Tel Aviv, one of the things we consistently emphasized was the importance of competing for titles. It’s been a long time since the club regularly found itself in that position. Last season, we reached the final but were disappointed with the result. This year, we’re back in another final, with another title at stake. If this club wants to win trophies in the long run, it needs to be competing in these situations consistently. Thankfully, that’s where we are right now,” he said.

For veteran attacking midfielder Omri Altman, however, the focus was firmly on league business until the final whistle against Hapoel Jerusalem. Only then could the Reds begin looking ahead to the derby, a matchup in which he believes his team can go toe-to-toe with Maccabi Tel Aviv.

“I think we already showed last season that we’re on equal footing with Maccabi Tel Aviv. One game went their way, another went ours, and we also had a draw. Everything was very close. It’s true that we lost 4-1 in our first meeting this season, but that result doesn’t reflect our ability. We received a red card in the 35th minute, so you have to take that into account when assessing the difference between the teams. That wasn’t a fair reflection of the situation.

“We haven’t discussed the derby until now. No tickets, no talking about it, nothing. Starting Sunday, we’ll begin talking about everything. We’ll approach this game the same way we approach every match. Obviously, it’s a derby, and it’s a final with a trophy at stake, and I’m sure the players understand what’s on the line.”

Barda echoed Altman’s assessment, pointing to the circumstances surrounding the teams’ first meeting of the season.
“We’re the same team we were then, with the same players. We haven’t undergone any major changes. The previous game simply unfolded terribly for us after the red card, which is an unusual situation for our team.

“Naturally, a defeat like that hurts, especially in a derby. But we have now put together four consecutive victories. We’re going into this game determined to perform much better than we did in that previous meeting. At the end of the day, we’re still the same club.”

Altman, who has featured in plenty of Tel Aviv derbies throughout his career, knows that Thursday’s atmosphere will rank among the most memorable occasions in Israeli football. With Bloomfield Stadium set to be divided between the two fan bases, with 12,500 supporters from each side expected, the stage is set for a raucous evening.

“This is what we live for,” the 32-year-old said. “This is why we play football. The atmosphere even before the game is part of the carnival that is the derby. It’s exciting just to walk down the street and feel the intensity surrounding the match.

“Anyone who hasn’t experienced it doesn’t really understand what a Tel Aviv derby is. In my opinion, it’s one of the most intense games in Europe. We’re looking forward to it, especially because there’s a title at stake. That makes it a completely different story, and we’ll arrive fully prepared.”

There should be no shortage of excitement when the rivals meet under the lights at Bloomfield. The derby is always charged with emotion, but the added incentive of a trophy will only intensify the occasion. By the end of the night, one side will be celebrating with silverware in hand, while the other will be left to contemplate what might have been.

Altman, of course, has every intention of being on the winning side.

“Beyond the fact that it’s a cup final and a derby, let’s be honest: it’s the Toto Cup. But winning a derby title means a lot to the players. Lifting a trophy is a dream, and I think every young player dreams of experiencing that moment,” he said.