Israel round-up: Tel-Aviv take title by two goals
Saturday, May 31, 2003
Article summary
Maccabi Tel-Aviv won their first league title for seven years by the narrowest of margins.
Article body
Maccabi Tel-Aviv won their first title for seven years by the narrowest of margins, finishing above Maccabi Haifa FC at the top of the Israeli Premier League only on goal difference.
Two-goal margin
Maccabi Tel-Aviv defeated Hapoel Petach-Tikva 3-0 on the final day of the season to end with a goal difference of plus 35, just two goals better than the defending champions, who ended with a 5-1 away win at FC Ashdod and were unable to overhaul Maccabi Tel-Aviv despite scoring 15 goals in their final three league games.
Vital strikes
Second-half goals from Andreas Prochanenkovs, Reueven Oved and Avi Nimni gave Maccabi Tel-Aviv the vital away victory that secured their 15th championship in front of more than 35,000 spectators. Prochanenkovs headed the first two minutes past the hour, and Oved doubled the advantage six minutes later before Nimni rounded off the win with a fine solo effort six minutes from time.
First-half strikes
Meanwhil, five first-half goals were not enough for Maccabi Haifa, who took the lead through Michael Zandberg after 13 minutes. Idan Tal added a second, before Adoram Keisi made it 3-0 and Tal and Zandberg both then scored their second goals of the night. However, the result was not enough for the champions, with Shai Holtzman scoring a consolation for the home side in the second period.
Away victories
Hapoel Tel-Aviv fnished third and also ended the season with an emphatic away win, as two goals each from Omri Afek and Ben Luz helped them to a 6-1 success at Hapoel Kfar-Saba. Meanwhile, Maccabi Netanya finished fourth after a 2-0 win at Beitar Jerusalem, with Yishamel Ado and Assi Ben Moha on target.
Bnei Yehuda held
Elsewhere, Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv drew 2-2 at home with Hapoel Beer-Sheva, while Maccabi Petach-Tikva ended with a 2-1 at home to Hapoel Ironi Rishon.
Promoted sides
Bnei Sachnin will play in the top flight for the first time in their history next season following a 1-0 win away against Maccabi Kiryat Gat that guaranteed they would be promoted behind champions Ahi Nazareth.
