Hapoel Tel Aviv claimed a 2-1 victory over Ironi Kiryat Shmona in the Toto League Cup semi-finals on Saturday evening. The visitors took the lead late on after A. Ugarriza had given the hosts an early advantage. D. Dappa scored twice in stoppage time to turn the tie around.
Ugarriza opened the scoring in the sixth minute, putting Kiryat Shmona ahead before Hapoel could settle. The hosts kept the pressure on at the back, but O. Benbenishti's game changed everything at the thirtieth minute. Three yellow cards in quick succession, then a straight red, left the visitors with a numerical advantage.
Hapoel made three substitutions on the half-hour mark, bringing on X. Silva, R. Abdullazada and Chico as they looked to exploit the extra man. The visitors controlled possession with 63 per cent of the ball, but their shooting was wasteful. They registered eight shots on target and sixteen off target, yet could only find the net twice.
Kiryat Shmona were far more clinical with their limited opportunities. Two shots on target produced one goal, while they managed only two corners throughout the contest. The hosts attacked 156 times compared to Hapoel's 226, but the quality of their chances told the story.
D. Dappa rescued his side in the ninety-seventh minute with an equaliser, then added a second two minutes later to complete the turnaround. Kiryat Shmona had led for eighty-seven minutes before the visitors took control. Dappa also picked up a yellow card in the dying moments as the game tightened up.