Hapoel Tel Aviv Sets Derby Stage With 3-0 Win Over Hapoel Jerusalem

Hapoel Tel Aviv defeated Hapoel Jerusalem 3-0 on Wednesday at Teddy Stadium. The win qualifies the club for the Toto Cup final. They face Maccabi Tel Aviv in the championship match.

More than 7,000 fans traveled to support Hapoel Tel Aviv. The team struggled to score in the first half. They found their rhythm after the break and dominated the second period.

Daniel Dappa scored the first goal near the end of the first half. Omri Altman added the second following a backheel pass from Yannick Leliendal. Leliendal provided the assist for the third goal, which Roie Alkukin finished inside the box.

The result keeps Hapoel Tel Aviv near the top of the league table. They trail Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Beersheba, and Maccabi Haifa by a small margin. The victory also ends a period of inconsistency for the club.

Hapoel Tel Aviv has spent time in the Leumit League twice in the last decade. A win against Maccabi would mark a key step in their return to the top tier of Israeli football.

Manager Elyaniv Barda said the club has emphasized competing for titles since he arrived. He noted that the team reached the final last season but lost. He stated that consistency in these situations is required for long-term success.

Altman said the team focused on league play until the final whistle against Jerusalem. He believes Hapoel Tel Aviv is on equal footing with Maccabi Tel Aviv. He pointed to the 4-1 loss earlier this season and said a red card in the 35th minute skewed the result.

Barda agreed with Altman, saying the previous defeat was unusual for the team. He noted that Hapoel Tel Aviv has won four consecutive matches since that game. He said the squad remains the same and is prepared for the derby.

The final is scheduled for Thursday at Bloomfield Stadium. The stadium will be divided between the two fan bases. Approximately 12,500 supporters are expected from each side.

Altman said the atmosphere before the match is part of the experience. He described the Tel Aviv derby as one of the most intense games in Europe. The winner will lift the Toto Cup trophy.