The Israeli Premier League begins its final rounds, and just before Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa will play their last head-to-head match, everyone tries to stay in good shape.
First and foremost, this matchday enjoyed international attention, as Sapir Berman, who until not too long ago was called Sagi Berman, managed the game between Hapoel Haifa and Beitar Jerusalem on Monday. Thus, Sapir became the first transgender Premier League referee in the world, in a step that was highly accepted and embraced by Israeli football community.
Photo: AFP
Maccabi Haifa wants to win the title
Maccabi Haifa began another matchday as the top-ranked team, and as they played first, they had a chance to extend their lead. They played away against Maccabi Petah Tikva, who already defeated them this season.
This time, Maccabi Haifa didn't waste time. In the 18th minute, Neta Lavi scored the first for his team. In the 30th minute, Maccabi Petah Tikva had a great chance to equalize when Naor Sabag took a penalty kick. Like in the previous encounter between the teams, Josh Cohen saved it, managing to block four out of five penalty kicks this season. Bogdan Planić added one more goal to his tally in the 49th minute. Only in the 89th minute, Maccabi Petah Tikva scored a goal, but it was an own goal by Sun Menahem.
For two days, Maccabi Haifa was in a clear lead on top, waiting to see what Maccabi Tel Aviv will do.
The Battle in the Desert
Maccabi Tel Aviv wanted to recover from their defeat against Ironi Kiryat Shmona last week. They had to do so against Hapoel Be'er Sheva, which still seeks its first win in the championship group.
The match was turned out as an extremely aggressive match, with both sides spending more time on fighting. The first goal was scored in the 28th minute after Maccabi Tel Aviv was awarded a penalty kick. Yonatan Cohen converted it successfully and scored his 10th goal this season. The lead was stable until Marwan Kabha made a long-range screamer and tied the score in the 61st minute.
The 1-1 draw is keeping Maccabi Haifa's 4-point lead from the last week. Now everything is set to the match of the season between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa next week.
No Chance to Survive
After Hapoel Kfar Saba relegated last week, Bnei Yehuda joined them on Saturday. They hosted Maccabi Netanya, knowing that only a win could keep their chances to avoid relegation.
Bnei Yehuda scored first when Mohammad Ghadir has found the net in the 9th minute. It wasn't enough for them, as Maccabi Netanya scored twice. Gabi Kanichowsky scored first in the 73rd minute, Allyson dos Santos scored the decisive own goal in the 88th minute.
Bnei Yehuda is completing an awful season, full of mistakes and decisions that affected their chances to keep their place in the top tier. Luckily, in 4 out of their previous 5 relegations, they have been promoted back after one season.
Long Time of Wait
Last week, two teams from the Liga Leumit, the second division, back to the Israeli Premier League. Both have done it after a long time away. The first, Hapoel Nof HaGalil, have played in the top division for the last time in 2006. Their previous spell in the league lasted only two seasons, and now they will wish to make it longer.
The other team is Hapoel Jerusalem, which returns to the Israeli Premier League after a 21-year absence. During this era, Hapoel Jerusalem has been crashed to the third division and suffered from poor management. Meanwhile, the team's fans have founded Hapoel Katamon, a fan-owned club that made the long journey from the fifth to the second division. After the old Hapoel Jerusalem has been folded, the fan-owned club completed its mission. Last summer, the fans took the name back, and as the new Hapoel Jerusalem, they promoted after defeating Sektzia Nes Ziona 2-0.
Thumbnail photo by Maccabi Haifa FC official Facebook page
