Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated host Maccabi Bnei Reineh 2-0 in Israel Premier League action over the weekend as the yellow-and-blue scored a pair of second-half penalties to snatch the three points.
Following a goalless first half, Osher Davida was tripped up by Junior Pius as he went into the box, handing Maccabi Tel Aviv that Ido Shachar promptly scored for a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute. The visitors doubled the advantage a quarter-hour later when Maccabi was issued another penalty as Elad Madmon slotted home the spot kick for a 2-0 lead and the win.
Maccabi coach Zarko Lazetic shared his thoughts on the win.
“It was a very good game from our side, and I’m very pleased with my players. In the first half, we saw our best minutes of the season as we created chances, although the opponent also had one, and Roi Mishpati saved us, but we won the game, and it was a very good performance from us.”
Hapoel Jerusalem comes from behind to draw
Meanwhile, Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Jerusalem played to a dramatic 2-2 draw as Trivante Stewart’s brace was canceled out by a pair of late goals by the Reds, including an Ilay Madmon free kick deep into second-half injury time.
After a goalless first half, Stewart scored his first marker of the match early in the second half and then doubled the advantage via the penalty spot for a 2-0 lead by the 60th minute. However, Aweka Ashata pounded home a loose ball in the box, which was followed up by Madmon’s free-kick goal in the 95th minute just seconds before the referee blew the full-time whistle as the sides split the points.
Maccabi Haifa coach Barak Bachar spoke about what happened in the final minutes of the match.
“It was similar to what happened last week, too much pressure and panic in the closing minutes. We weren’t exposed during the game. There was a lot of bad luck and small things we need to improve.”
Hapoel Jerusalem bench boss Ziv Arie summed up the game.
“Down 2–0, with two shots hitting the post and our own turnovers, to say we didn’t deserve to lose sounds a bit strange. In the end, it balanced out in terms of the quality of chances.”
Elsewhere, Hapoel Tel Aviv blanked Ironi Tiberias 2-0 as Stav Turiel was involved in both goals as the Reds took all the points.
Hapoel found the back of the goal in the 30th minute as Turiel’s ball glanced off of Sambinha for an own-goal, while Turiel’s smart shot in second-half injury time beat the Tiberias keeper Rogerio Santos to wrap up the win.
“These are three very important points,” said Hapoel Tel Aviv coach Elyaniv Barda. “We went through a very intense week with three matches, but there are expectations here, and I embrace them, though we also need perspective. The team still has a way to go, and every point we collect, we need to cherish it, be happy about and prepare for the next match.”
Ashdod SC sunk Hapoel Haifa 4-1 as the port city side scored four unanswered goals to come back from a 1-0 deficit to take the win.
Javon East quickly gave the Carmel Reds a 1-0 lead in the second minute, but the hosts drew even a half-hour later when Tom Ben Zaken’s free kick found Ibrahim Diakite in the box, who nodded home the tying goal.
Ashdod grabbed the advantage a few minutes later when Ben Zaken recorded his second assist as he sent a perfect ball to Jean Florent Batoum, whose header with authority beat a helpless Niv Antman for a 2-1 lead. Ori Azo then latched onto a Nir Bitton long ball and pounded it into the Haifa goal while Eugene Ansah scored in second-half injury time to polish off the 4-1 win.
Finally, Hapoel Petah Tikva and Bnei Sakhnin played to an entertaining 2-2 draw as the teams split the points at the Moshava Stadium.