Hapoel Tel Aviv Beats Jerusalem 3-0 Ahead of Derby Final

Hapoel Tel Aviv defeated Hapoel Jerusalem 3-0 at Teddy Stadium this week, positioning the squad to face Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Toto Cup final. The match concluded with a commanding performance that capped a strong week for the visiting side, which arrived with more than 7,000 supporters.

The first half saw Hapoel Tel Aviv struggle to penetrate the defense of the capital city Reds. The team shifted its approach after the break, producing three high-quality goals. The final score reflects well-worked moves rather than accidental deflections or scrappy finishes.

Daniel Dappa scored near the end of the first half with a precise strike. Omri Altman added the second goal following a sequence that included a backheel pass from Yannick Leliendal. Leliendal provided the final assist, crossing into the box for Roie Alkukin to finish emphatically.

The victory keeps Hapoel Tel Aviv near the top of the league table alongside Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Beersheba, and Maccabi Haifa. The win also serves as a confidence builder for the Toto Cup final, a trophy that coach Elyaniv Barda considers essential for the club’s long-term trajectory.

Barda stated that the club has consistently emphasized the need to compete for titles since his arrival. He noted that it has been a long time since the team regularly reached final stages, although they made the final last season and were disappointed with the result. Barda said the team is back in another final this year with a title at stake, and that consistent competition in these situations is necessary for long-term trophy success.

Veteran midfielder Omri Altman said the team focused entirely on the league match against Hapoel Jerusalem until the final whistle. He believes the Reds can match Maccabi Tel Aviv, pointing to last season’s results where one game went to each side and one was a draw. Altman acknowledged the 4-1 loss in the first meeting this season but argued it did not reflect the team’s true ability due to a red card in the 35th minute.

Altman said the team has not discussed the derby or secured tickets until now. He stated that discussions will begin Sunday and that the approach will be the same as for any other match, while recognizing the intensity of a derby with a trophy on the line. Barda agreed, noting that the team is the same squad that lost the previous derby, with no major changes in personnel.

Barda said the previous game unfolded poorly after the red card, an unusual situation for the team. He noted that the team has now won four consecutive matches and is determined to perform better in the upcoming final. Altman, who is 32, described the atmosphere at Bloomfield Stadium as a carnival, with 12,500 supporters from each side expected to divide the venue. He called the event one of the most intense games in Europe.

Altman said that while the competition is the Toto Cup, winning a derby title carries significant weight for the players. He described lifting the trophy as a dream for every young player and stated that the team intends to be on the winning side. The final is scheduled for Thursday at Bloomfield Stadium.