Israel Premier League: Hapoel and Maccabi Win

Hapoel Tel Aviv beat Maccabi Haifa 2-1, taking a two-goal lead into halftime and holding off a second-half push. Tsunami redirected a Mayembo header into his own net, giving Elyaniv Barda’s side the lead. Just before halftime, Roie Alkukin’s long-range shot glanced off Daniel Dappa and past goalkeeper Omri Glazer. Bruninho scored for Haifa after the break, but Hapoel kept its advantage and took all three points.

Hapoel Holds On; Beersheba Turns It Around

Hapoel coach Elyaniv Barda said his team tired in the second half. “We were very tired in the second half, that's true,” he said. “Having two major challenges within four days is something we'll need to learn to deal with if we want to continue on our current path.” Barda said he was “very pleased with these three points,” praising his players for defending under pressure and protecting their lead.

Haifa coach Barak Bachar called the first half “quite strange.” After the break, his team had “a number of attempts,” picked up the pace and played better, he said, but “struggled with the little things again.” Bachar said the team was improving and building a strong base.

Hapoel Beersheba came from behind to beat Maccabi Petah Tikva 5-2 at Moshava Stadium. Niv Yehoshua, playing against his former club, opened the scoring with a long-range strike after winning the ball. Liran Hazan and Guy Deznet then put Ziv Arie's side ahead 2-1 at halftime.

Beersheba coach Ran Kozuk made four substitutions at the break. Adrian Ugarriza won a penalty, and Igor Zlatanovic converted to make it 2-2. Yehoshua scored again. Zahi Ahmed and Ugarriza added close-range goals. The win came before Beersheba's Europa League match against OFI Crete on Thursday.

Kozuk said he was happy with the result because “the fans deserved a good performance,” but he criticized the first half. “I wasn't happy that we created absolutely nothing and played with far too much ego,” he said. “We lost every battle and were very soft, both in the middle of the pitch and out wide.” He said the team made corrections at halftime.

Big Win, Late Penalty, More Draws

Maccabi Tel Aviv beat Hapoel Ramat Gan 5-0 at Rehovot Stadium, bouncing back from its Toto Cup final loss to Hapoel Tel Aviv. Elad Madmon headed in a James Tavernier delivery, a Marco Silva own goal made it 2-0, and Dor Peretz scored before halftime. Substitute Ester Sokler scored twice after the break.

Maccabi coach Kenny Miller called it “a strong performance from us from start to finish.” He said the team scored early and nearly scored again late with a penalty, describing the performance as pleasing. “If we want to succeed, we need to be ready for games like this,” Miller said.

Beitar Jerusalem and Ironi Kiryat Shmona drew 1-1 after a late penalty earned the visitors a point. Adi Yona gave Beitar a first-half lead. Amadou Sagna converted from the spot deep in second-half stoppage time. Timoti Muzie was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

Beitar assistant coach Aviram Bruchian said the team thought the penalty shouldn’t stand. “We went into the dressing room and watched the video. We were certain VAR would intervene, but it didn't happen,” he said. Bruchian called the decision disappointing and said VAR should have intervened on a penalty awarded in the 90th minute and beyond.

Points Shared Across the League

Maccabi Netanya and Hapoel Jerusalem also drew 1-1. Isaac put Netanya ahead in the first half, then received a second yellow card and was sent off late in the game. Nadim Warsana scored Hapoel Jerusalem's equalizer. Netanya coach Roni Levy said his team drew at home while down to 10 men and could have lost. Hapoel Jerusalem coach Lior Zada said his side had too little time with a man advantage to be disappointed with the draw and was content to take a point after a run of losses.

Hapoel Haifa beat Hapoel Petah Tikva 2-1. Alon Turgeman scored from close range, and Naor Sabag headed in a corner to give Haifa a two-goal lead. Yves Bile scored for Petah Tikva deep in second-half stoppage time.

Bnei Sakhnin and Ironi Tiberias drew 1-1. Mansour Badjie gave the Kinneret-based visitors a first-half lead, and Ori Dahan headed in the equalizer. Sakhnin coach Yossi Abukasis called it his team's best performance of the season, citing pressing, winning the ball back and creating chances, while noting that the team hadn't put the ball in the net. Tiberias coach Alon Ziv said his side “escaped this game by the skin of our teeth” after dropping deep and failing to get into the game in the second half.