Israel round-up: Hapoel take over top billing
Monday, April 7, 2003
Article summary
Hapoel Tel-Aviv moved into first place following a 2-0 victory over Hapoel Ironi Rishon.
Article body
Hapoel Tel-Aviv took over top spot in the Israeli Premier League following a 2-0 win against Hapoel Ironi Rishon.
Second-half goals
Two second-half goals were enough to ensure Hapoel victory over the bottom club at the Bloomfield Stadium. Yossi Abuksis opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 59 minutes after Pini Balili had been fouled. Substitute Kfir Udi then doubled the home side’s advantage in the 79th minute with a close-range header.
Maccabi Haifa slip
Maccabi Haifa FC saw their grasp as leaders slip when they dropped to third place after losing 2-0 at Maccabi Tel-Aviv, who moved into second. Andreas Prochanenkovs broke the deadlock on 75 minutes with a brave header following a scramble in the Haifa area. Bruno Rais then sealed the victory in the 79th minute when he tapped the ball into the net from close range.
Beitar win
Beitar Jerusalem all but secured their Premier League status with a 4-1 win at home to Bnei Yehuda. N'wongo Chukudi scored the first goal on 17 minutes with a right-footed volley from the edge of the area. Vladimir Endonov equalised for the visitors five minutes before half time, converting confidently from the penalty spot.
Fine move
The home side were then awarded a penalty of their own in the 50th minute only for Itzik Zohar to hit the post. Ten minutes later Polish striker Andrezj Kubica rounded off a fine move to put Beitar ahead and the same player found the unmarked Zohar who scored the third with a fierce right-footed shot. Subsutitute Maor Melikson headed in the fourth in the final minute.
Derby win
Maccabi Petah-Tikva celebrated a 3-1 derby win over Hapoel Petah-Tikva despite being reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Ismail Amar early in the second half. The home side were 2-0 ahead within 29 minutes through goals from Kobi Ganon and Lior Asulin only for Shlomi Edri to pull a goal back just before half-time. Kobi Refuah, however, sealed the points with a 86th-minute penalty.
Last-minute goal
A last-minute goal from Dudu Avraham ensured a 1-0 win for Ashdod SC at Hapoel Be'ersheba, while Maccabi Netanya ran out 4-1 victors at home to Hapoel Kfar Saba.
