Match Report: Maccabi Herzliya 1–1 Hapoel Kfar Saba
Israel Leumit League | 20 May 2026

Match Overview

A hard-fought 1-1 draw between Maccabi Herzliya and Hapoel Kfar Saba at the Herzliya Municipal Stadium left both teams frustrated. The home side dominated possession but were unable to turn pressure into more than a single goal, while Hapoel Kfar Saba's clinical counter-attack earned them a share of the spoils.

Key Moments

• 30' – Hapoel Kfar Saba struck first against the run of play. A long ball over the top caught the hosts' high line off guard, and striker Raz Cohen raced through to slot home calmly.
• 56' – Maccabi Herzliya equalised through a stunning free-kick. Set-piece specialist Shimon Zohar curled the ball over the wall and into the top corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
• 71' – Herzliya thought they had taken the lead, but the goal was disallowed for a marginal offside after a VAR review. Replays showed the forward's shoulder was just beyond the last defender.
• 85' – The visiting goalkeeper made a brilliant double save to preserve the draw, first parrying a header and then reacting quickly to block the rebound.

Tactical Story

Herzliya dominated territory and chances (15 shots to 5) but lacked incisiveness in the final third. Hapoel Kfar Saba defended deep in a compact 5-3-2, inviting pressure and looking to spring counters. The visitors' physicality disrupted Herzliya's rhythm, and their time-wasting tactics in the closing stages frustrated the home crowd. The draw felt like two points dropped for the hosts.

Standout Players

Shimon Zohar (Herzliya) – His free-kick was a moment of class in an otherwise laboured performance. He also provided dangerous crosses that almost led to a winner.
Raz Cohen (Kfar Saba) – Took his goal superbly and was a nuisance throughout, occupying the centre-backs and winning fouls to relieve pressure.

League Impact

Maccabi Herzliya remain 7th, now four points outside the top five. Hapoel Kfar Saba stay 10th, but the point keeps them in touch with the mid-table pack. Both sides will view this as a game they could have won, but in a tight Leumit League, a draw is not a disastrous result.