Israel round-up: Haifa extend their lead

Maccabi Haifa extended their lead at the top of the Ligat ha-Al today to six points over second-placed Maccabi Tel-Aviv after beating FC Ashdod 5-1.

Early domination
An outstanding first 45 minutes saw Haifa score four goals without reply. After 12 minutes, Ayegbini Ya'kobou controlled a long ball in the opposition area and rounded the advancing keeper with one touch before rolling the ball into the open net. Nine minutes later, a poor clearance from Ashdod's defence fell to Avishai Jano, and his shot from the edge of the area was too powerful for Ben Yishai to hold. Ya'akobou reacted quickest, latching on to the rebound before firing in his second.

Long range strikes
Less than three minutes later, Ya'akobou broke into the area before cutting the ball back to Nenad Peralja. The Croatian's first shot struck a defender, but his second attempt beat Yishai for the third. Right on the half-hour mark, another counter-attack led to Peralja's second and Haifa's fourth goal. Walid Badir released Peralja, and his shot from the edge of the area sailed straight into the top corner, giving Yishai no chance.

Final word
With 12 minutes to go, Peralja spotted Yossi Benayoun's run, chipping the ball over Slaven Bilic and into the path of the forward. Benayoun's close control saw him lift the ball over Blagoya Milavski and lob Shai Hess and despite two defenders being on the goalline, Benayoun managed to squeeze the ball into the net to make it 5-0. Six minutes from time, Andzej Kubika headed in Alon Hazan's cross for a consolation goal.      
 
Single strike
An Abed Rabach goal in the 13th minute helped Hapoel Petach-Tikva to a 1-0 victory over Beitar Jerusalem. Rabach's run into the area saw him beat Beitar's offside trap and with one touch he placed an accurate shot into the top corner. 

Wonder goal
A last-minute goal from substitute Andreas Prohanenkovs helped newly-promoted Maccabi Kiriat-Gat climb off the foot of the table for the first time after a 2-1 victory over Hapoel Ironi Rishon.
Prochanenkovs was released into the area before blasting a shot that was initially saved by Miroslav Philipko. Stanislav Dobrovin's scissor-kick had put the hosts in front but four minutes later Ironi Rishon levelled the scores as Shalev Menashe blasted a low drive from the edge of the area that beat the keeper. Kiryat-Gat were reduced to ten men as Moshe Ben Sa'adon was dismissed following a professional foul on Vitali Kumranizki. Prochanenkovs then picked up the ball deep in Ironi Rishon territory, before blasting an unstoppable shot that sailed into the top corner.

Goalless draw
In the last fixture, Maccabi Petach-Tikva fought out a goalless draw with Hapoel Beer-Sheva.