Israel round-up: No shocks on first weekend

The opening round of fixtures in the Israeli Premier League, which kicked off three weeks behind schedule due a dispute over TV rights, ended with victories for the three title favourites - Maccabi Haifa, Hapoel Tel-Aviv and Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

Emphatic win
Champions Maccabi Haifa, under new coach Yitzhak Schum, showed newly-promoted Hapoel Kfar-Saba how tough life can be in the top flight with an emphatic 5-0 win. Warming up well for their UEFA Champions League trip to Manchester United FC on Wednesday, Haifa cruised to the three points with a double from Giovani Rossi, goals from Eric Ejiofor, Yaniv Katan and an Ayegbini Ya'akoubu penalty.

Coach impressed
Schum, who gave Argentinian playmaker Guillermo Yisraelevic his debut after the fifth goal was scored, warned: "Even though I am impressed with our performance today, it will have no bearing on Wednesday's match." The coach watched United's 1-0 Saturday English Premiership defeat at Leeds United AFC.

Hapoel Tel-Aviv hold on 
Last season's runners-up Hapoel Tel-Aviv had to hold on to beat Hapoel Petach-Tikva 3-2. The Tel-Aviv side cruised into a three-goal lead, but found themselves pegged back by their hosts, though the visitors held to on take the points.

Trio of draws
Maccabi Tel-Aviv beat Hapoel Petach-Tikva 4-2 at the Bloomfield stadium to show their intentions for the season, while all three remaining matches finished 1-1, Maccabi Netanya and Beitar Jerusalem sharing two goals, Hapoel Ironi Rishon drawing by the same score with Hapoel Beer-Sheva, and newly-promoted Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv celebrating their top-flight bow by holding FC Ashdod.