Israel round-up: Haifa in the high life
Monday, December 16, 2002
Article summary
Maccabi Haifa record a 3-0 victory at Hapoel Ironi Rishon to extended their lead at the top of the table.
Article body
Maccabi Haifa FC record a 3-0 victory at Hapoel Ironi Rishon to extended their lead at the top of the table.
Five points clear
Three goals in the second half helped Maccabi are now five points clear of second-placed Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC having won eleven of their 13 matches and their 33 points leaves them nine points above their opponents next week, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, who lie in third place.
Excellent work
After a dull and goalless first half, in which the Haifa reached only two goalscoring opportunities, Michael Zandberg put the visitors ahead one minute into the second half, beating Yaniv Mizrahi after excellent work by Walid Badier.
Ayegbeni goal
Zandberg turned provider for Haifa's second after 65 minutes, linking up with Nenad Pralija who scored with his left foot. Yakubu Ayegbeni made it 3-0 five minutes from time with a terrific individual effort.
Uncharacteristic defeat
With Hapoel Tel-Aviv being held to a goalless draw at struggling FC Ashdod, but Maccabi Tel-Aviv could not take advantage as they fell to an uncharacteristic 3-0 home defeat against Hapoel Beer-Sheva.
Overhead kick
Elad Bonfeld started and finished a fine move to open the scoring after 13 minutes, Blessing Kaku added a second from a rebound after 59 minutes and Amir Abutbul added insult to injury with a spectacular overhead kick in the final minute which looks a good contender for goal of the season in Israel.
Beitar victory
In the weekend's other games, Kfir Edri's first half goal earned Beitar Jerusalem a 1-0 victory against Hapoel Kfar-Saba while Guy Zarfati's goal in the 27th minute, earned Maccabi Netanya a precious 1-0 victory against place Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv.
Derby delight for Maccabi
Finally, two goals from Kobi Refuah helped Maccabi Petach-Tikva record a 3-1 victory over bitter city rivals Hapoel Petach-Tikva. Refuah's 16th-minute effort was cancelled out by Stanislav Dobrovin but Lior Asulin restored Maccabi's lead with 16 minutes to go before Refuah sealed the win three minutes from time from the penalty spot.
