Israel round-up: Maccabi Tel-Aviv close in on rivals

Derby approaches
Maccabi, who have not won the championship since 1996, are now just two points behind leaders Hapoel Tel-Aviv, who they will host in an eagerly-awaited derby match in two weeks' time. An 18th-minute Avi Nimni penalty gave Maccabi the lead against Beitar and Baruch Dago doubled the advantage four minutes later. A third goal arrived before half-time through Bruno Reyes and Nimni's second spot-kick of the night in the 69th minute further asserted Maccabi's superiority. Izik Zohar netted a consolation for Beitar in the 86th minute.

Haifa miss chance
Maccabi Haifa had missed the chance to close the gap on the leaders at the weekend as they were denied by Hapoel Tel-Aviv in a 1-1 draw at the Kiryat Eliazer stadium. Hapoel keeper Shavit Elimelech saved an injury-time penalty from Walid Badier to prevent the home team claiming a vital win and maintain the visitors' position at the top of the table. M. Haifa had gone ahead through Giovani Rosso's strike on five minutes but Hapoel equalised 13 minutes after half-time through Sergei Kleschenko.

Late, late show
There was another dramatic finish at Hapoel Petach-Tikva, where the hosts secured their first home victory of the season courtesy of two stoppage-time penalties from substitute Manor Hasan. His late intervention meant Guy Zarfati's wonder strike for Maccabi Netanya counted for nothing.

Home subsidence
Meanwhile, Hapoel Beer-Sheva consolidated their fourth position beating Maccabi Petach-Tikva 2-0. Elsewhere, Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv condemned bottom club Hapoel Ironi Rishon to a ninth successive defeat - 3-2 in Rishon Le-Zion - while second-bottom Hapoel Kfar-Saba also lost at home, 2-0 against FC Ashdod.