Hapoel Tel Aviv's Title Hopes Rest on Alkukin's Rising Game

Hapoel Tel Aviv currently occupies a strong position in the Israeli Premier League, a status cemented by recent victories under head coach Elyaniv Barda. The club captured the Toto Cup in a dramatic derby against Maccabi Tel Aviv and followed that win with a 2-1 result over Maccabi Haifa. These consecutive successes place the team in a favorable spot before Sunday night's match against defending champion Hapoel Beersheba.

At the center of this upward trajectory is 22-year-old midfielder Roey Alkukin. Born in Mevaseret Zion, Alkukin joined the club at age 15 after leaving the Beitar Jerusalem youth system. He spent a period in the second division with Maccabi Herzliya before returning to Hapoel. He has played three full seasons for the side, helping secure promotion to the Premier League during the 2024/25 campaign. His contract has since been extended through the 2028/29 season.

Alkukin's statistical output this season reflects his growing importance to the tactical setup. In 15 appearances across all competitions, he has recorded three goals and three assists. This pace exceeds his previous season's totals of four goals and four assists, suggesting he may surpass those marks as the league reaches Matchday 10. His ability to break down defenses and involve teammates has made him a key component of Barda's system.

Barda has praised the midfielder's professional growth, noting the progression from the second division to the Premier League while maintaining high training standards. The coach highlighted Alkukin's intelligence and willingness to learn, stating that the player still has a high ceiling for development. Mentorship has focused on improving movement off the ball, a skill Alkukin has worked on through individual video sessions and training drills.

A defining moment for the player came during the Toto Cup final, where he scored a goal to secure the title. The victory held personal weight as it offset the disappointment of missing a penalty in the State Cup derby in January of the previous year. Alkukin recalled watching a video of Roberto Baggio missing a penalty after his own miss, which served as motivation. He described the final goal as a dream come true and a way to give back to supporters who stood by him during difficult periods.

Alkukin remains focused on consistency rather than individual moments of success. He emphasized that maintaining a steady performance level is more important than reacting to specific wins. The midfielder acknowledged that managing form was a key lesson from the previous season, when he experienced more dips in performance than anticipated. He aims to apply these lessons to help Hapoel remain competitive in the championship race.

Beyond club duties, Alkukin has his sights set on earning a call-up to the senior Israeli national team. He has already represented the country at the Under-21 level and described the senior team as his biggest dream. However, he insisted that his immediate priority is performing well for Hapoel Tel Aviv. He believes continued hard work will naturally lead to national team opportunities, but for now, his attention is fixed on the upcoming challenge against Hapoel Beersheba.