Dramatic draw for Beitar, Mac TA triumphs

Jerusalem, K8 combine for three stoppage-time tallies in 2-2 result • Yellow-and-blue first to two wins.

By ALLON SINAI
Ironi Kiryat Shmona midfielder Didier Brossou (right) celebrates after netting a 94th-minute equalizer in the 2-2 draw with Tal Kahila (left) and Beitar Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium last night. (photo credit: DANNY MARON)
Ironi Kiryat Shmona midfielder Didier Brossou (right) celebrates after netting a 94th-minute equalizer in the 2-2 draw with Tal Kahila (left) and Beitar Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium last night.
(photo credit: DANNY MARON)
Beitar Jerusalem is still searching for its first Premier League win of the season after drawing 2-2 with Ironi Kiryat Shmona following a remarkable finish at Teddy Stadium on Sunday night, while Maccabi Tel Aviv made it two wins from two in Ashdod.
Beitar seemed to be heading to a defeat when it trailed 1-0 entering the 90th minute, failing to break down 10-man Kiryat Shmona’s resistance. Two goals in less than two minutes by Shimon Abuhazira (90) and Lidor Cohen (92) then looked to have secured Beitar its first victory of the campaign, but Didier Brossou would stun Teddy when he leveled the score in the 94th minute, capping a memorable match.
“We showed a lot of heart to get back into the game, but were naive at the end,” said Beitar coach Ran Ben-Shimon.
Kiryat Shmona coach Moti Ivanir had mixed emotions at the final whistle.
“I don’t know if I should be happy that we took a point or be unhappy that we didn’t take three points,” he said. “But there’s no doubt Beitar was the better team today and reached many chances and we were really lucky not to lose. I would have been happy with a point before the match so I’m happy now.”
Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Ashdod SC 2-1 on the road and is currently the only team with a perfect record after two matches. Hapoel Ashkelon can join it with a victory at Hapoel Kfar Saba on Monday.
Ezequiel Scarione gave Maccabi the lead after just 50 seconds and the yellowand- blue was cruising when Tal Ben- Haim doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute.
Maccabi didn’t have it all its own way though, with Gadi Kinde handing the hosts a lifeline in the 40th minute. Ashdod had its chances to take a point, but couldn’t find a second goal.
At Teddy, Kiryat Shmona took the lead through a Tal Benesh own goal in the 44th minute and somehow remained in front until the 90th minute.
Beitar missed a penalty seven minutes into the second half when Claudemir’s spot kick smashed against the crossbar, with Marcel Heister’s volley from the rebound also hitting the woodwork.
Kiryat Shmona lost Brazilian defender Heidor to a red card in the 61st minute, but goalkeeper Itamar Nitzan denied the hosts time and again and it looked like it just wasn’t Beitar’s day.
However, that all changed when Abuhazira finally found the back of the net in the 90th minute, sparking an incredible finish. Less than two minutes later, Cohen completed Beitar’s comeback with a stunning effort from the left flank, but Jerusalem couldn’t hold on for the win.
Brossou equalized for Kiryat Shmona in the fourth minute of stoppage time, with Beitar’s calls to disallow the goal for an offside going ignored.
Earlier Sunday, Beitar requested from the Jerusalem Magistrate Court to cancel the arbitrator’s ruling in Omer Atzili’s case.
An arbitrator set Atzili’s value at 750,000 euro and he agreed personal terms and underwent a medical at La Liga club Granada over the weekend.
Beitar offered him a three-year contract extension which would have earned him 1.6 million euro, but Atzili was always intent on moving to Europe and is set to become the 11th Israeli to play in La Liga.