21 goals, 6 of them in Beitar Jerusalem's game, and 1 red card - this was the last week story. The League seems to approach its culmination in several weeks, when Hapoel Tel-Aviv will host Beitar Jerusalem - by now, both teams go head-in-head without losing points. The 2 Haifa teams also won, the 2 last teams (Hapoel Ashkelon and Hapoel Beer-Sheva) lost, and the 2 midtable teams, Maccabee Ironi Ashdod and Maccabee Tel-Aviv, seem to finally promise their survival in the National League.
Hapoel Tel-Aviv defeated Maccabee Petakh-Tikwa away, 2:0, and was the first team this year to reach the barrier of 50 points; Beitar Jerusalem again conceded an early goal, and again incurred its mighty wrath on the opponent later on, 4:2 at home vs Hapoel Petakh-Tikwa. The game between Hapoel Haifa and Hapoel Beer-Sheva provided us another drama - indeed, those were just 2 goals scored this time, both of the favorites, but the spectators saw no less than 3 penalties missed! Maccabee Haifa recovered and devastated Bnei-Yehuda Tel-Aviv away, 3:0 through the brilliant game of Alon Mizrahi; Maccabee Tel-Aviv managed to beat Hapoel Ashkelon at home, 2:0 through the goals of Alon Offir. Hapoel Kefar-Saba and Hapoel Rishon le-Zion parted with a dull scoreless draw, and Maccabee Ironi Ashdod managed to beat Maccabee Herzliya at home through the winning goal of Yossi Madar. And finally, it was an interesting and eventful game in Beit-Shean, where the local Hapoel managed to beat Hapoel Jerusalem after having initially been down, 3:2. Now - to the details.
Playing against his former team, Maccabee Petakh-Tikwa's coach Moshe Sinai didn't even try to search for victory - knowing about the weak attack of the leaders, he preferred to fully concentrate on defending his net and performing some rare counterattacks. However, Hapoel Tel-Aviv was a much better team and managed to open the score after 25 minutes of play - Felix Halfon raised the ball from the right wing into the box and found there the beautiful flying header of the defender Asi Domb, leaving no chance to Golan Malul. Malul registered a magnificent save from the curved shot of Shalom Tikwa (33), but it was clear Hapoel would score more, in order to improve its number of scored goals. Indeed, Sharon Tsofin had a good chance to equalize (59), but his shot was superbly denied by Shavit Elimelekh, our "Keeper Of The Week"; in just 2 minutes, Tsofin was sent off with his 2nd yellow card, and the story was completed. 22 minutes from time, Shalom Tikwa assisted Sebastian Simerotic, and the Slovenian National forward scored his 2nd League goal, 2:0. Who'll stop Hapoel Tel-Aviv? Probably, Beitar Jerusalem, but nobody can be sure about that.
And as for Beitar, you should pay attention to the following statistics - this year Beitar was down in 10 games and lost just 1 of them, the result of +3=6-1, 22-16, 15 pts! On the other hand, Beitar slipped the lead just twice and finished those games with draws. So, while Hapoel Tel-Aviv prefers not to concede the goals at all, Beitar doesn't mind to concede, even during the very first minutes of play, as far as it will score twice as much...
This was also the story of the last weekend, when the superbly taken free kick of Ilan Boaron from 20 meters gave Hapoel Petakh-Tikwa a surprising away lead over the defending Champions after just 2 minutes of play. Not for long, as Nir Sevilla got a great ball from Yossi Abuksis, ran forward undisturbed and overplayed Shai Hess in one-to-one (10). 12 minutes before the break, a pass of Istvan Pisont to Istvan Hamar found the latter knocked inside the box by Shai Hess; the guests insisted it was a dive, but it was of an interest neither for the referee Haim Yaacov nor for Istvan Salloi who completed a comeback. Being confused with numerous Istvans was finished 13 minutes in the 2nd half, when Istvan Pisont cut the guests' defence with a flat free kick (!), and Istvan Salloi put his foot right in time to make the score 3:1. And 13 minutes from time, the story was finished - David Amsalem saw Nir Sevilla in the box again, and the young forward of Beitar passed Shai Hess elegantly and rolled the ball into an empty net from a hard angle. The shot of Andrei Christophick (80) from 20 meters under the right crossbar of Guy Griff (Itzhak Korenfein is still injured) managed to reduce the score, but Petakh-Tikwa could do nothing more. Moreover, the last 3 opportunities were of Beitar - Pisont's shot was blocked by the defenders, the substitute Shai Holtzman shot the ball flatly and diagonally from 17 meters to find the right post of Shai Hess, and David Amsalem registered a superb penetration of the top European class, only to be denied by Shai Hess' flight. 4:2 to the defending Champions who've gotten the healthy appetite for scoring numerous goals every game.
The game between Hapoel Haifa and Hapoel Beer-Sheva again provided us the dramatic set of events - indeed, those were just 2 goals scored, but no less than 3 penalties missed! When David Perets knocked Giovanni Rosso down in the box after 17 minutes of play, Ronen Harazi refused to take a shot, remembering his miss a week ago in the Cup - Offer Talker took the responsibility and shot a well-directed ball to the left corner of Shaul Smadja, but the keeper took the proper direction and parried it! When Ronen Harazi was pushed down by Aris Eliacic 17 minutes later and Ran Ben-Shimon failed exactly the same way and didn't enlarge the score, it seemed Hapoel Haifa suffered from dark magic forces of evil in everything concerning the penalty kicks. But all is well that ends well. Ronen Harazi (32) opened the score brilliantly, getting the ball from Offer Talker, dragging it powerfully with his pushed back right foot and shooting it unstoppably and flatly from 15 meters with his left to the right corner of Smadja, something nobody in Salamanca would have been ashamed of. And 21 minutes from time, it was Liron Basis' corner which found the cunning header of Alon Halfon; Smadja could just touch the ball, but not prevent it from penetrating his net. Liron Basis, missing time after time during the game, still managed to leave his positive trace on the result, for which he should definitely be appreciated. And finally, the last minute of the game gave Haifa an opportunity to enjoy a missed penalty kick as well - Dudu Heffer was knocked down by Alon Halfon inside Haifa's box, but Yossi Benayoun (the pale shadow of himself from a brilliant performance in the Cup) failed to beat Avi Perets. For Avi Perets, the keeper of Beer-Sheva the last year, it was the 1st game this season since Week 02, and he finished it well, with a stopped penalty. The competition for the keeper's sweater in Hapoel Haifa is reopened.
And another interesting point from this game. Before the 2 games between the teams, there were the wicked rumours Haifa would give Beer-Sheva the needed points in the League and would have no problems to pass Beer-Sheva in the Cup therefore. The 2 clubs proved the real sportsmanship by achieving the completely opposite results, but by now it can be said they spoiled each other a season. Hapoel Haifa will, in all probability, find no way to Europe this year as well, and Hapoel Beer-Sheva will now have nearly no chance to survive in the League. "Sic transit gloria mundi".
In Shkhunat-ha'Tikwa, it seemed Maccabee Haifa would have another dreadful game - Bnei-Yehuda Tel-Aviv started the game in a better way, and Nir Davidovich had a really hard time, parrying one far-ranger after another. However, the very first attack of Maccabee, 7 minutes before the break, was resultive - Adoram Keisi raised the ball into the hosts' box, and Alon Mizrahi was there before Eilon Schwegger and the National keeper Rafi Cohen to push the ball in from 7 meters, 1:0. Mizrahi missed the ball passed to him by Vladimir Niederhaus (41), but 22 minutes in the 2nd half, he proved his impressive skill once again - getting a jumping ball from Guy Melamed 18 meters from the net, he stopped it with his right foot and immediately shot a bomb from the air under the left crossbar of Rafi Cohen, leaving the hosts' keeper no chance. During the last minute, the combination of Ibrahim Doro - Alon Mizrahi - Rajid Bransi - Alon Mizrahi resulted in Schwegger's foul over Mizrahi in the box; Rajid Bransi asked Alon Mizrahi to get an opportunity to score his 1st goal in the National League, got the permission - and scored. After the game Mizrahi, well-known for his modesty, referred to his generosity: "This just shows the player's scale". :-)
In Ramat-Gan, Hapoel Ashkelon had no chance at all, as they didn't attack - and as for Maccabee Tel-Aviv, they weren't bright either, but had Alon Offir in his best. 9 minutes before the break, it was the pass of Moshe Glam to the box, Alexei Gerasimov missed it, but Alon Offir was there and shot a diagonal volley from 10 meters under the right crossbar of the helpless Asi Rakhamim, 1:0. And 8 minutes in the 2nd half, Offir headed the ball in from 5 meters after an assist of Dedi Ben-Dayan. Maccabee Tel-Aviv enjoyed for the first time this season the positive goal difference and the 9th place - but believe you me, the Yellow Empire isn't the least happy about that.
Maccabee Ironi Ashdod, on the other hand, is registering by now its best season ever - the 1/4 Cup finals, and the solid 8th place. Yesterday the sympathetic team of Rami Levi managed to beat Maccabee Herzliya at home, 1:0, and to finally say good-bye to the threat of the bottom. Yossi Madar scored the only goal of the game after 27 minutes of play, after a collaboration with Assif Ben-Ishai and Tibor Balog.
The game between Hapoel Kefar-Saba and Hapoel Rishon le-Zion resulted in a very dull nil draw and could've been totally nothing to talk about, unless Sagi Strauss made "The Save Of The Week" there, 5 minutes in the 2nd half. The 1st shot was of Kefar-Saba's player Itai Koren, and Strauss parried it; however, the defence of the guests couldn't clear the ball away, and Niv Tal shot a mighty effort from 14 meters, only to see Strauss flying there and denying that one as well. Shlomo Sherf has now a real problem, to choose between the reliability and the experience of Rafi Cohen and the obvious talent of Nir Davidovich and Sagi Strauss, still waiting for their big breakthrough. Itzhak Korenfein and Shavit Elimelekh are also to be taken into a serious consideration.
And finally, this was the game in Beit-Shean, where the local Hapoel hosted Hapoel Jerusalem. The guests opened the score, when Assaf Tubi overplayed Meir Cohen in one-to-one after 12 minutes of play; however, Primoz Gliha managed to equalize after just another 6 minutes, from the goal pass of Sergen Culakovic. The same combination, swapping the goal passer and the goal scorer, was the result of the 3rd goal (29); and in between, "The Goal Of The Week", in my opinion, was scored - Cobi Ganon got the ball from Avi Danan 25 meters from the net, made a step forward and launched an unstoppable curved missile under the left crossbar of Liran Strauber, scoring the first goal of his National League career... Hapoel Jerusalem attacked vigorously, but managed only to reduce the score, through the goal pass of Laszlo Czeh from the right wing and the header of Assaf Tubi (80). It should be mentioned that Strauber was injured after just 5 minutes of play, but was substituted by Moti Mizrahi just during the break - a mistake by the guests' coach Yossi Mizrahi.
NEXT ROUND (in a week): Hapoel Tel-Aviv (1) hosts the surprising team of Maccabee Ironi Ashdod (8), and Beitar Jerusalem (2) goes to Ashkelon, to meet there Hapoel (15). There are two interesting and important bottom games - Maccabee Herzliya (10) hosts Maccabee Tel-Aviv (9), and Hapoel Beer-Sheva (16) hosts Hapoel Rishon le-Zion (12). And finally, this is the top meeting between Hapoel Petakh-Tikwa (5) and Hapoel Haifa (3).
Maccabee Petakh-Tikwa - HAPOEL TEL-AVIV 0:2 (0:1).
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Hosts: -.
Guests: Asi Domb (25), Sebastian Simerotic (68).
RED: Sharon Tsofin, defender, Maccabee Petakh-Tikwa, 61.
THE BEST: Shalom Tikwa, midfielder, Hapoel Tel-Aviv.
BEITAR JERUSALEM - Hapoel Petakh-Tikwa 4:2 (2:1).
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Hosts: Nir Sevilla (10, 77), Istvan Salloi (33 pen, 58).
Guests: Ilan Boaron (2), Andrei Christophick (80).
THE BEST: Nir Sevilla, forward, Beitar Jerusalem.
HAPOEL HAIFA - Hapoel Beer-Sheva 2:0 (1:0).
---------------------------------------------
Hosts: Ronen Harazi (32), Alon Halfon (69).
Guests: -.
THE BEST: Ronen Harazi, forward, Hapoel Haifa.
On the 17th minute Offer Talker (Hapoel Haifa) missed a penalty kick -
Shaul Smadja saved.
On the 34th minute Ran Ben-Shimon (Hapoel Haifa) missed a penalty kick -
Shaul Smadja saved.
On the 90th minute Yossi Benayoun (Hapoel Beer-Sheva) missed a penalty kick -
Avi Perets saved.
Bnei-Yehuda Tel-Aviv - MACCABEE HAIFA 0:3 (0:1).
--------------------------------------------------
Hosts: -.
Guests: Alon Mizrahi (38, 67), Rajid Bransi (90 pen).
THE BEST: Alon Mizrahi, forward, Maccabee Haifa.
Hapoel Kefar-Saba - Hapoel Rishon le-Zion 0:0.
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Hosts: -.
Guests: -.
THE BEST: Tamir Ben-Haim, midfielder, Hapoel Kefar-Saba.
HAPOEL BEIT-SHEAN - Hapoel Jerusalem 3:2 (3:1).
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Hosts: Primoz Gliha (18), Cobi Ganon (22), Sergen Culakovic (29).
Guests: Assaf Tubi (12, 80).
THE BEST: Avi Danan, defender, Hapoel Beit-Shean.
MACCABEE IRONI ASHDOD - Maccabee Herzliya 1:0 (0:0).
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Hosts: Yossi Madar (27).
Guests: -.
THE BEST: Yossi Madar, midfielder, Maccabee Ironi Ashdod.
MACCABEE TEL-AVIV - Hapoel Ashkelon 2:0 (1:0).
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Hosts: Alon Offir (36, 53).
Guests: -.
THE BEST: Alon Offir, midfielder, Maccabee Tel-Aviv.
THE WEEK'S TEAM:
----------------
Shavit Elimelekh
(Hapoel Tel-Aviv)
Avi Danan Guy Sharabi Raanan Deri Cobi Ganon
(Hapoel Beit-Shean) (M. Ironi Ashdod) (Beitar Jerusalem) (Hapoel Beit-Shean)
Giovanni Rosso Yossi Abuksis Ronen Harazi Alon Offir
(Hapoel Haifa) (Beitar Jerusalem) (Hapoel Haifa) (Maccabee Tel-Aviv)
Nir Sevilla Alon Mizrahi
(Beitar Jerusalem) (Maccabee Haifa)
Beitar Jerusalem - 3.
Hapoel Haifa, Hapoel Beit-Shean - 2.
Hapoel Tel-Aviv, Maccabee Haifa,
Maccabee Ironi Ashdod, Maccabee Tel-Aviv - 1.
THE BEST GOAL:
91: Alon Mizrahi (the 2nd).
ALSO - Alon Offir (the 1st), Cobi Ganon,
Andrei Christophick, Asi Domb.
MO: Cobi Ganon.
ALSO - Asi Domb, Alon Mizrahi (the 2nd),
Alon Offir (the 1st), Ilan Boaron.
THE BEST SAVE:
MO: Sagi Strauss, from Itai Koren + Niv Tal, 50.
PLACE TEAM G W T L Goals Points
1 (1) Hapoel Tel-Aviv 22 15 5 2 24- 8 50
2 (2) Beitar Jerusalem 22 13 8 1 56-26 47
3 (3) Hapoel Haifa 22 11 8 3 40-21 41
4 (4) Maccabee Haifa 22 12 4 6 37-26 40
5 (5) Hapoel Petakh-Tikwa 22 9 6 7 32-28 33
6 (6) Hapoel Kefar-Saba 22 8 6 8 27-27 30
7 (7) Hapoel Jerusalem 22 7 8 7 26-28 29
8 (8) Maccabee Ironi Ashdod 22 7 8 7 27-33 29
9 (11) Maccabee Tel-Aviv 22 6 8 8 25-24 26
10 (9) Maccabee Herzliya 22 6 7 9 24-28 25
11 (10) Maccabee Petakh-Tikwa 22 5 9 8 15-22 24
12 (12) Hapoel Rishon le-Zion 22 6 6 10 27-35 24
13 (14) Hapoel Beit-Shean 22 5 7 10 22-32 22
14 (13) Bnei-Yehuda Tel-Aviv 22 4 7 11 17-27 19
15 (15) Hapoel Ashkelon 22 4 6 12 17-31 18
16 (16) Hapoel Beer-Sheva 22 3 7 12 24-44 16
IN BRACKETS - the places of the teams after the last week.
BEST PLAYER: Nir Sevilla, forward, Beitar Jerusalem.
TOP SCORERS: Istvan Salloi (Beitar Jerusalem) 14(2) 2(1)
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Alon Mizrahi (Maccabee Haifa) 13(1) 2
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Nir Sevilla (Beitar Jerusalem) 12(0) 2
Eli Driks (Maccabee Tel-Aviv) 12(0)
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Liron Basis (Hapoel Haifa) 11(0)
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Istvan Pisont (Beitar Jerusalem) 10(0)
Moti Kakun (Hapoel Petakh-Tikwa) 10(5)
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Assaf Tubi (Hapoel Jerusalem) 9(1) 2
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Offer Shitrit (Hapoel Tel-Aviv) 8(2)
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Igal Zrihen (Maccabee Ironi Ashdod) 7(0)
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[3: Hap. Haifa] Sergen Culakovic (Hapoel Beit-Shean) 6(0) 1
Yossi Madar (Maccabee Ironi Ashdod) 6(1) 1
Yossi Benayoun (Hapoel Beer-Sheva) 6(2)
NOTE - the penalties scored are put in brackets. The last
column means the number of goals scored this week.
THE NEXT ROUND (in a week):
| Hosts | Guests |
| Hapoel Tel-Aviv (1) | Maccabee Ironi Ashdod (8) |
| Hapoel Ashkelon (15) | Beitar Jerusalem (2) |
| Hapoel Petakh-Tikwa (5) | Hapoel Haifa (3) |
| Maccabee Haifa (4) | Hapoel Beit-Shean (13) |
| Bnei-Yehuda Tel-Aviv (14) | Hapoel Kefar-Saba (6) |
| Hapoel Jerusalem (7) | Maccabee Petakh-Tikwa (11) |
| Maccabee Herzliya (10) | Maccabee Tel-Aviv (9) |
| Hapoel Beer-Sheva (16) | Hapoel Rishon le-Zion (12) |
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