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Hapoel Beer Sheva crowned Israeli champions

Hapoel Beer Sheva will again represent Israel in the Champions League after clinching back-to-back Ligat Ha'Al titles with a dramatic 2-1 away win over Maccabi Tel Aviv on Saturday night.

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The victory leaves Hapoel with an unassailable 11-point lead over Maccabi, with three games left to play.

Maccabi led 1-0 at half time through a 23rd minute goal from Vidar Kjartansson.

The Camels hit back in the second half with Maor Melikson prodding home on 57 minutes and John Ogu hitting the winner in the last minute to send the Hapoel fans into ecstatic.

Hapoel manager Barak Bakhar said, "Winning the league title for a second season was much harder than doing it the first time. And winning it for the third time next season will be even harder again.

The club's owner Alona Barkat said that the highlight of the season was Hapoel's European run, which saw them narrowly miss out on the Champions League Group Stage with a narrow 5-4 aggregate defeat to Celtic despite winning 2-0 in Israel and then eliminate Southampton on away-goals to reach the Europa League knockout stage where they lost to Turkey's Besiktas.

"This year we will be seeded in the Champions League qualifying stages and with a bit of luck in the draw we can make it to the Group Stage. That is our aim."

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