Sakhnin claim landmark triumph

Bnei Sakhnin Club have become the first side from the Arab sector to lift the Israeli Cup after beating second division side Hapoel Haifa FC 4-1 at the Ramat Gan national stadium.

Second-half comeback
In front of 35,000 spectators - the majority supporting Sakhnin, a town with a population of 21,300 - Haifa led 1-0 at half-time but Avi Danan, Lior Asulin and Gavriel Lima all found the target before Asulin's late penalty sealed the victory and a UEFA Cup debut for their club. Haifa, meanwhile, must regroup to bid for promotion at the weekend.

Sharon congratulations
Israeli president Moshe Katzav presented Sakhnin captain Abbas Suan with the trophy and prime minister Ariel Sharon telephoned Sakhnin chairman Mazen Ghnaim to say: "I am sure you will represent Israel with honour in Europe." Suan agreed: "We proudly represented the country today on its biggest stage and we intend to do that with even more pride in Europe next year."

'Example to world'
Israel Football Association chairman Itche Menahem added: "I have seen many finals but I cannot remember anything like this. The coexistence shown here today should be an example to the rest of the world. A team which consists of Jews, Christians, Muslims and foreigners representing an Arab town could act as bridge for peace."