Zlatanovic’s Late Strike Sends Hapoel Beer Sheva Through 2-1

Hapoel Beer Sheva 2-1 Sabah FA: Champions League Play-off Drama

Igor Zlatanovic’s 79th-minute strike completed a rousing second-half comeback as Hapoel Beer Sheva edged Sabah FA 2-1 in a pulsating UEFA Champions League play-off under the desert floodlights. The Israeli champions rallied from Veljko Simic’s early sucker punch through Javon East’s leveller before Zlatanovic wrote himself into club folklore.

Sabah FA Stun Home Crowd With Early Blow

The visitors landed a haymaker after just six minutes. Tymoteusz Puchacz’s teasing cross found Simic unmarked, the Bosnian striker nodding past Ofir Marciano to silence the Turner Stadium. Sabah soaked up 67% first-half possession from Hapoel, their 4-2-3-1 compact as East fired into the side netting and Pedro Amador’s drive was palmed away.

Hapoel Beer Sheva’s Relentless Pressure Pays Off

The equaliser came two minutes before halftime – Eliel Peretz’s incisive through ball found East, who rounded Stas Pokatilov with a deft touch before slotting home. The Jamaican’s cool finish ignited the stands, Ran Kozuch’s men emerging transformed after the break. Zahi Ahmed’s dangerous crosses caused havoc before being substituted, Miguel Vitor and Itay Rotman both seeing yellow in a frantic five-minute spell.

Zlatanovic Writes the Fairytale Ending

Then, the moment. Peretz delivered a teasing 79th-minute free-kick that Zlatanovic met with a thunderous near-post header, sending Pokatilov sprawling. Sabah’s resistance finally broke – their only second-half shot came during three late substitutions as Hapoel’s 16 shots inside the box told the story of their dominance. The final whistle sparked delirium, players collapsing as 90% passing accuracy underlined their control.

What This Means For Both Sides

For Hapoel Beer Sheva, this hard-fought victory books a coveted Champions League group stage berth, continuing their fairytale rise under Kozuch. Sabah FA return to Azerbaijan with pride intact after a valiant display, their European journey ending agonisingly short. On this evidence, both sides will be forces in their domestic campaigns – but for now, the night belongs to Zlatanovic and Hapoel’s yellow-and-black army.