Minnows through to final
Wednesday, May 5, 2004
Article summary
Bnei Sakhnin Club reached the Israeli Cup final for the first time and will meet second division Hapoel Haifa.
Article body
Tight contests
Abas Suan's solitary strike after 72 minutes earned Sakhnin a first cup final appearance, while Haifa, who are under administration, needed two goals in extra time to win through 3-1.
Cup heroics
A year after Hapoel Ramat Gan FC won the cup, Haifa became the second lower-league team in as many seasons to reach the final thanks to extra-time efforts from Shadi Zbidat and Salah Hassama. Haifa had previously knocked out Maccabi Petach-Tikva FC, Beitar Jerusalem FC and Maccabi Netanya FC.
Sakhnin in Europe
The cup winners will qualify for the UEFA Cup, but Haifa's financially precarious situation will deny them a European place even if they triumph in the 18 May final. Consequently, Sakhnin, third bottom in the Premier League, are set to enter European competition for the first time.
