Israel round-up: Haifa take advantage

Maccabi Haifa FC exploited the goalless draw between leaders Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC and second-placed Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC to move to within two points of the summit of the Israeli Premier League with a 3-1 win against Hapoel Beer-Sheva.

Over 16,000 on hand
Over 16,000 fans were on hand to witness the Tel-Aviv derby which proved a fiercely competitive game despite the lack of goals. Nine minutes into the game Hapoel nearly took the lead when Hungarian Gábor Halmai ghosted past Maccabi's defence only to head Ben Luz's swinging cross into the side netting.

Best chance
Maccabi's best chance came in the 42nd minute when Eli Biton charged down Hapoel's left flank before swinging a cross into the path of Andraes Procahnenkovs. The tall Latvian forward controlled the ball well on his hip, but blasted his volley narrowly wide of Shavit Elimelech's goal. Elimelech went on to deny Procahnenkovs twice in the second half with stunning saves to earn his side a point.

Haifa continue defence
Maccabi Haifa's bid to defend their crown is still alive after their win against Hapoel Beer-Sheva, but they were below their best, despite Beer-Sheva playing the final 23 minutes with just ten men. Haifa broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute when Elyaniv Barda's perfect pass released Nenad Pralija who lifted the ball over Assi Rachamim. Nine minutes later, Adoram Keisi rose high to head his side's second.

Lead cut
Three minutes before the interval, Haifa's two-goal lead was cut by Elad Boonfeld. The talented young forward beat Dudu Awat from the edge of the area after good work by Tommer Haliba, who was sent off soon after for a second bookable offence. Idan Tal's late penalty secured victory.
 
Relegation fight.
Elsewhere, Hezzy Shirazi's two goals earned relegation-threatened Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv a 2-1 win at Hapoel Ironi Rishon while Alon Hazan's double secured a 2-0 win for struggling FC Ashdod in their game against Maccabi Netanya.

Worries eased
In Monday night’s game, Hapoel Petach-Tikva came from behind to record a 4-1 victory against Beitar Jerusalem. The victory lifted Petach-Tikva into eighth place above Bnei Yehuda, a week before the sides meet in a league fixture. Andzej Kubika put the away side in front, but Petach-Tikva bounced back through a Yossi Shivhon double and a goal apiece for Yaniv Luzon and Erez Eliav. Petach-Tikva are now nine points from the relegation zone