Israel round-up: Tel-Aviv two at the top
Tuesday, February 4, 2003
Article summary
Hapoel Tel-Aviv remain two points clear of the rest despite being held to a goalless draw by Maccabi Petach-Tikva.
Article body
Seeing red
Hapoel's hopes of an away win ended when they were reduced to ten men after only 29 minutes by the sending-off of Yigal Antebi. The Hapoel player was shown a red card for retaliating after a high tackle by Petach-Tikva's Soli Tzemah.
Home comfort
Maccabi Tel-Aviv, meanwhile, moved into second place after a 4-1 home victory over FC Ashdod at Bloomfield stadium. Rodrigo Goldberg, Baruch Dago, Amir Turgeman and Avi Nimni were all on target for Nir Klinger's side.
Own goal
Maccabi leapfrogged Maccabi Haifa, whose title chances were dented by a 1-0 defeat at managerless Beitar Jerusalem. The manner of the defeat was no less damaging, as Haifa goalkeeper Dudu Awat contrived to let an Alon Harazi backpass slip under his foot and into the net for the only goal.
Surprise success
Elsewhere, Assi Baldut's double strike helped Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv record a surprise 3-2 away victory against Hapoel Beer-Sheva. While Maccabi Netanya inflicted a seventh consecutive defeat on bottom club Hapoel Ironi Rishon with goals from Yishmael Ado and Reueven Atar.
