Just before the return to the Premier League on Saturday, Round 8 of the State Cup continues at this time with the competition for the spot in the Round of 16 in the Southern Derby, where Hapoel Beer Sheva hosts MS Ashdod at the YA Stadium.
After advancing to the final of the Toto Cup with 3:4 on penalties against Hapoel Tel Aviv, in a game in which the goalkeeper of the cup holder Ariel Harosh scored a dramatic equalizing goal with a shot in the 96th minute on the way to 3:3 at the end of legal time, in the capital of the Negev they want to prove their character against the opponent as well from the port city and remain relevant in all local establishments.
On the other hand, Ran Ben Shimon’s apprentices reach the 8th round after a disappointing 1:0 loss to Bnei Rayna in the Toto Cup and will have to manage without Yoav Jarafi, who was sent off during the loss. Despite the loss, Ashdod believes that it is possible to surprise the strong opponent and qualify for the eighth.
In terms of history, the past meetings actually show a certain superiority of Jackie Ben Zaken’s team. Out of the last ten meetings MS Ashdod came out with the upper hand five times, while on the other hand, the cup holder won only twice and three meetings ended without a decision.