Hapoel Tel Aviv rallied from a goal down to defeat FC Zlín 2-1 in an international club friendly on July 8, 2026. The match, held at Zlín's home stadium, offered both sides valuable minutes in their preseason preparations.

First Half: Zlín Strike First

The hosts took the lead in the 18th minute through a well-worked set piece. A corner kick was flicked on at the near post, and striker David Vacek was unmarked to nod the ball home from close range. Zlín dominated the opening half-hour, pressing high and forcing Hapoel into defensive errors. However, Hapoel slowly grew into the game, and their midfield began to find pockets of space.

Just before halftime, Hapoel equalized. A quickly taken free kick caught Zlín's defense off guard, and winger Eden Karzev burst through to slot the ball past the goalkeeper. The score was 1-1 at the break.

Second Half: Hapoel Complete the Comeback

After the restart, both managers made sweeping changes. Hapoel Tel Aviv's intensity increased, and they took the lead in the 63rd minute. A cross from the right was met by substitute striker Raz Shlomo, whose header looped over the stranded goalkeeper and into the net. Zlín pushed for an equalizer, throwing bodies forward, but Hapoel's defense held firm.

Zlín nearly leveled in stoppage time when a deflected shot struck the crossbar, but Hapoel goalkeeper Sinisa Dojcin made a crucial save to secure the victory. The match ended 2-1 in favor of the Israeli side.

Key Takeaways

Hapoel Tel Aviv's resilience was on display, particularly their ability to cope with an early setback. Coach Haim Silvas praised his team's character: "Zlín are a well-organized side, and going behind was a test. Our response was excellent. This friendly has given us a lot of tactical information." For FC Zlín, the performance was encouraging despite the loss. They created chances and executed their pressing game well for large periods.

Both teams continue their preseason schedules next week. Hapoel Tel Aviv will face another European opponent, while Zlín aim to sharpen their finishing after this narrow defeat.