Ashdod, Jaffa win in Anglo League week 3

Hosting Jaffa, Ashdod got off to an quick start with a free kick that it converted for an early 1-0 advantage.

By JERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Ashdod and Jaffa emerged victorious from the third week of the Israeli Anglo League.
Hosting Jaffa, Ashdod got off to an quick start with a free kick that it converted for an early 1-0 advantage. Aviv City managed to respond shortly after, but it was 3-1 to Ashdod at halftime.
The second half saw a lot of end-to-end action with chances and goals aplenty. Aviv City got to within 5-4, with co-Manager Uri Schneider, Daniel Rahamim, Dutch wiz-kid Raz Bauer and the team’s top scorer Roy Morik all on the score-sheet.
But their comeback was not to be, and the home team converted another two, making the final score a comprehensive 7-4 victory for Ashdod.
This puts the new boys at the top of the table with 13 goals scored, while Aviv City have let in seven goals in both of their two outings and lie routed at the bottom of the table.
Up north, second-place Jaffa FC won 3-2 at Ra’anana.
Ra’anana won an early penalty after Seth Freedman brought down Rafi Kanichowsky in the box, but Kanichowsky blazed it over the bar.
The game swung first in Jaffa’s favor, with Mexican Elias Sandler smashing in a 30-yard free kick off the bar.
But Ra’anana fought back to lead 2-1 at halftime thanks to goals from Rafi and Eitan Aaronson.
A swift attacking move was finished off by Eyal Hoffman early in the half, and the game wore on at 2-2 with both teams searching for a winner.
Jaffa broke through in the 80th minute when Asaf Shapira picked up the ball in midfield and played a beautiful pass for Nir Hacohen to run onto and sweep low into the corner.
Next week, Aviv City hosts Jerusalem for a crucial bottom-of-the-table six-pointer and Modi’in visits to Netanya.