Israel round-up: Tel-Aviv end in style

Hapoel Tel-Aviv ended their Israeli Premier League season in second spot after a 3-1 victory over Maccabi Petach-Tikva today.

Top of the pile
Kobi Refuah broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 20th minute, his 18th goal of the season making him top scorer in the Ligat ha-Al. But, on the stroke of half-time, Yossi Abuksis levelled the scores when he also successfully converted a penalty. Four minutes after the interval, Avi Knafo put the visitors in front for the first time, before adding another in the closing stages.

Score draw
Elsewhere, Hapoel Ironi Rishon and FC Ashdod drew 2-2, with Oshri Alfasi's last minute equaliser helping Ashdod to salvage a point and secure fourth spot in the final standings, while Shai Holtzman's double helped Ironi Rishon avoid the drop. Holtzman opened the scoring in the 13th minute and added another two minutes after the interval to take his tally to 17 goals for the season. Two minutes later, Sharon Amar managed to cut Ironi Rishon's lead.

Two in a row
In Friday's final match, Maccabi Netanya beat Hapoel Petach-Tikva 3-1 to finish seventh in the league. Amos Sassi broke the deadlock after six minutes, while Ami Azulai levelled after 37 minutes, heading Michael Zandberg's accurate cross inot the net. Lior Genish restored Netanya's lead four minutes before the interval and Moshe Glam ensured Netanya's second successive victory in the final minute.