Israel round-up: Haifa press on

Maccabi Haifa followed up their midweek UEFA Champions League victory by winning 1-0 at Maccabi Tel-Aviv today to maintain their 100 per cent Ligat ha-Al record.

Convincing win
Despite the narrow margin of victory, it was a convincing performance from Haifa which merited more than Giovani Rosso's first-half strike. In a match played in a tremendous atmosphere, a fine display by the Tel-Aviv goalkeeper, Liran Strauber, kept the away side at bay for much of the game.

Away team in charge
The away side dominated from the start, with Nigerian striker Yakubu Ayegbeni, who scored a hat-trick in the midweek defeat of Olympiakos Piraeus FC, heading against the post, and forcing another excellent save from Strauber. However, Haifa finally broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, Rosso getting on the end of Adoram Keisi's cross to beat Strauber.

Late equaliser
Elsewhere, an equaliser in added time from Reuven Atar helped Maccabi Netanya fight back to draw 2-2 with Hapoel Tel-Aviv.  The away team had taken control thanks to goals from Rami Halis and Pini Balili, but they let their advantage slip in the final ten minutes as Talas Shot and Atar salvaged a point.

Late drama
Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv led 3-0 against Beitar Jerusalem, but the home side pulled two goals back to ensure a frantic finish. Hapoel Beer-Sheva recorded a 1-0 win at Hapoel Petach-Tikva, while Maccabi Petach-Tikva are the only side yet to pick up a point this season after they lost 2-0 at FC Ashdod. Hapoel Ironi Rishon and Hapoel Kfar-Saba shared four goals in the day's remaining game.