Beitar Jerusalem stunned host Maccabi Haifa 2-1 in Israel Premier League action as Ziv Ben Shimol scored the late winner at Sammy Ofer Stadium to snatch the three points and send the yellow-and-black faithful into delirium.
The victory cut the Hapoel Beersheba lead atop the table to just two points as Barak Itzhaki’s team will now prepare for a State Cup date against Ironi Tiberias at Green Stadium in Nazareth Illit.
After a goalless opening first half that saw the Greens in control, Omer Atzily was tripped up the box by Yinon Fainegezict and slotted home the penalty for a 1-0 Beitar advantage. However, the lead was short lived as Kenji Gorre scored just minutes later to even up the contest. But Ziv Ben Shimol slotted home the winning marker in the 95th minute to wrap the game up and send Beitar Jerusalem home happy.
Itzhaki reflected on the victory.
“This was a very important win for us and although this wasn’t one of our best games, we knew how to win the game in a packed Sammy Ofer Stadium against a team like Maccabi Haifa. Last season we had a good first round, things then fell off on the second and we didn’t play well in the playoffs. Here we won a tough game and that’s what we need to do this season. I’m happy that we are a fun team to watch, and we hope to continue to go on our way.”
Haifa's defeat
Haifa coach Barak Bachar spoke about the defeat.
“Everyone saw that we played well, but we had to make some changes along the way, and every player gave 100% in the game. We made a mistake, which was unfortunate, and now we have to move on. But in the worst case we should have played this game to a draw.”
Ben Shimol also commented about the winning goal.
“I’m very happy that I was able to help the team win and we are really working hard. I want to prove to myself that I can play at this level, I’m focused on Beitar and I’m happy to be here. This was my biggest goal and we are very happy to be in this position.”
Meanwhile, Ironi Tiberias shocked league leader Hapoel Beersheba 3-0 with all three markers coming in the second half up at Green Stadium as the Kineret squad snatched the three points and the surprising victory.
After a goalless first half, David Keltjens sent a volley into the Beersheba goal for a 1-0 lead in the 65th minute. Defender Djibril Diop was then issued a red card due to a reckless tackle leaving the Southern Reds with just 10 men for the balance.
Peter Michael sent a low liner from the top of the box past ’keeper Niv Eliasi to double the advantage while Sambinha nodded home the third strike to close out the win.
Tiberias coach Eliran Hodeida spoke about the win.
“I think in terms of the result, this game was fantastic for Tiberias, but at the end of the day it’s only three points. If we don’t believe and think we can do it then there’s no point in being involved in this sport.”
Beersheba coach Ran Kozuk reflected on the defeat.
“I think we lost our minds in this game. The defensive level that we displayed was simply a disgrace and that was true from the start of the match. I don’t know the reasons, but I do know we can learn from Tiberias about humility and passion.
Elsewhere, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Netanya played to a 1-1 draw.
Dor Peretz opened the scoring in the 14th minute, but Oz Bilu knotted the game up less than 5 minutes later. Yellow-and-blue defender Ali Camara was shown red at the stroke of halftime due to a second yellow card, leaving Zarko Lazetic’s team with 10 men for the entire second half as the two sides split the points for their efforts.
Netanya coach Yossi Abukasis shared his thoughts.
“I think Maccabi Tel Aviv’s red card gave us control and pushed them very deep, so they didn’t come forward and we had no space. We didn’t shoot enough from distance, we weren’t smart enough. There was no room to play because they played with five at the back and two defensive midfielders. But we should have tried to move the ball out wide more and take shots from afar. Overall, a draw is okay, but since it was against 10 men, we’re a bit disappointed.”
Maccabi bench boss Zarko Lazetic spoke about the draw.
“Our performance was good, given the situation. We were dominant, but we conceded from a transition attack, we lost the ball in midfield and against a team like Netanya that’s dangerous. The red card changed the game. We reorganized and in my opinion we showed character on our part and good spirit. Unfortunately, we had a chance in the last minute and didn’t score, so we ended up with just one point.”
Also, Hapoel Tel Aviv defeated Maccabi Bnei Reineh 3-1 as Omri Altman scored a brace to take the points.
Loizos Loizou opened the scoring in the second minute to give the Reds a very early lead, but Owusu Kwabena quickly found the equalizer three minutes later for Bnei Reineh. Altman headed home a Chico cross off a short corner to give Hapoel a 2-1 lead in the 22nd minute and then scored his second of the game off a rebound from a Loizou attempt in the second half to close out the victory.
Hapoel Petah Tikva scorched Ironi Kiryat Shmona 4-1 as a quartet of different scorers helped Omer Peretz’s squad to the victory.
After a goalless opening half hour, Mark Koszta took care of an Aviv Avraham miscue to give Petah Tikva a 1-0 lead at the break. Itay Rotman doubled the advantage in the 52nd minute, while Cle put in a corner kick 10 minutes later to give Petah Tikva a commanding advantage. Shavit Mazal then scored off a brilliant Shachar Rosen cross while Cristian Martinez broke up the clean sheet with a goal in the 93rd minute.
Hapoel Haifa slipped by Hapoel Jerusalem 1-0 as Yonatan Ferber scored the lone goal of the game in the opening minute when he waltzed into the box from the left side and sent a stunner into the top right hand corner to hand the Carmel reds the three points.
Finally, Bnei Sakhnin blanked Ashdod SC 3-0 as Jubayer Bushnak, Artur Miranyan and Mathew Cudjoe all scored in the first half to close out the win.
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