Toothless Beitar held to goalless deadlock by Ra’anana

Jerusalem could have moved up to fifth place with a win on Monday, but its toothless attack never really came close to scoring.

By ALLON SINAI
Beitar Jerusalem forward Omer Atzili attempts one of his team’s few shots during the 0-0 draw against Hapoel Ra’anana in Petah Tikva. (photo credit: ASAF KLIGER)
Beitar Jerusalem forward Omer Atzili attempts one of his team’s few shots during the 0-0 draw against Hapoel Ra’anana in Petah Tikva.
(photo credit: ASAF KLIGER)
Beitar Jerusalem was booed off the pitch by its fans yet again on Monday night, this time after drawing 0-0 with Hapoel Ra’anana in Petah Tikva.
Beitar was hosting the match away from Teddy Stadium after being punished by the Israel Football Association for the racist chants shouted by its fans during last month’s game against Bnei Sakhnin.
Jerusalem could have moved up to fifth place with a win on Monday, but its toothless attack never really came close to scoring.
Beitar failed to win for the seventh time in its past eight matches and has got just three victories over 13 games in total so far this season, leaving it in seventh place, a mere four points off the relegation zone.
Ra’anana is only one point above the bottom two after its winless streak reached six games.
“I think my players gave their all and I’m proud of them,” said Beitar’s defiant coach Menahem Koretzki after the match.
“Apart from the first 20 minutes we controlled the game.
It isn’t easy to play against Ra’anana. We didn’t allow them any scoring opportunities while we created several half-chances and could have won. I have a good squad, but it is no secret we want to strengthen it in the January transfer window.”
Meanwhile, Hapoel Haifa owner Yoav Katz announced on Monday that coach Reuven Atar will continue at the club for the time being. Haifa is rock bottom of the Premier League standings with a mere 11 points, winning just three of 13 matches to date. Atar’s team dropped to a 4-0 defeat to Maccabi Haifa in the derby on Sunday, a week after falling to Hapoel Beersheba by the same score-line.
Hapoel Haifa faces Maccabi Tel Aviv in the semifinals of the Toto Cup on Wednesday, before hosting Hapoel Acre on Saturday after which Atar’s future will be reassessed.
“Atar is continuing and we are only focusing on our two upcoming matches,” said Katz after speaking with the coach.
“We talked about the mistakes which have been made so far in the hope of correcting them in the upcoming games.”