Sabah FA score three in extra time to beat Hapoel Beer Sheva 5-2

Sabah FA defeated Hapoel Beer Sheva 5-2 after extra time in the UEFA Champions League play-offs at Tofiq Bəhramov in Baku on Tuesday. The hosts recovered from twice falling behind, then scored three times in extra time to secure a decisive win.

A contest that changed after the break

Hapoel Beer Sheva took the lead in the 10th minute through I. Zlatanovic, but Zlatanovic was replaced by M. Abu Rumi in the 35th minute. Sabah equalised before half-time when C. Nwachukwu scored in the 38th minute, leaving the teams level at 1-1 at the interval.

The visitors regained the advantage in the 61st minute through G. Mizrahi. Sabah responded quickly after introducing A. Isayev and O. Mbina, with both substitutes entering in the 63rd minute. Mbina assisted U. Rakhmonaliyev for the 74th-minute equaliser, and Sabah completed its turnaround in the 90th minute when T. Mutallimov scored from T. Puchacz’s assist.

Extra time belonged to Sabah. Mbina put the hosts ahead in the 101st minute after an assist from Isayev, and J. Mickels added the fifth goal in the 115th minute, also supplied by Isayev. The final score was 5-2, despite the match having been level twice during normal time.

Sabah held the territorial edge

The statistics show a generally positive performance from the home side. Sabah had 54% possession, completed 554 passes compared with Hapoel’s 500, and produced 31 total shots to the visitors’ 14. The difference was especially clear inside the penalty area, where Sabah attempted 27 shots to Hapoel’s nine. Sabah also won 11 corners to three and registered 11 shots on target, although Hapoel goalkeeper saves were recorded at six compared with three for Sabah.

The possession margin was modest rather than overwhelming, and Hapoel’s two goals from 14 attempts showed that the scoreline did not simply reflect control from the opening whistle. Sabah’s greater volume and extra-time pressure ultimately separated the teams.

Dismissals shape the finish

Discipline became significant in extra time. D. T. Diop received a second yellow card and was sent off in the 100th minute, one minute before Mbina’s goal. E. Peretz was later shown a second yellow and dismissed in the 117th minute, shortly after Mickels had scored. The match statistics list Hapoel with one red card and four yellow cards, while the event record lists both dismissals.

Result and form impact

No standings data is available for either team, so the result’s effect on their league positions cannot be determined. It does, however, add a win to Sabah’s listed recent form and another defeat to Hapoel Beer Sheva’s sequence. Mickels was the standout performer by rating, earning 8.3 after playing 115 minutes, scoring once, recording two shots on target and making four key passes.