Betar bests Hap Haifa, tied at top

Betar Jerusalem claimed its third win in four Premier League matches on Saturday night, beating Hapoel Haifa 1-0 at National Stadium in Ramat Gan.

By ALLON SINAI
betar jerusalem 311 (photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
betar jerusalem 311
(photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Betar Jerusalem claimed its third win in four Premier League matches on Saturday night, beating Hapoel Haifa 1-0 at National Stadium in Ramat Gan.
Dan Eibinder scored the only goal of the match in the 50th minute, with Aviram Bruchian starting the move from the left before Amit Ben- Shushan superbly laid the ball off for Eibinder to smash in the winner.
Saturday’s defeat was Haifa’s fourth straight and coach Nitzan Shirazi could find himself unemployed in the near future.
Another coach who may well be out of a job by Wednesday’s full slate of matches is Nir Klinger after Hapoel Beersheba fell to its fourth consecutive defeat on Saturday, losing 3-1 to Hapoel Ramat Hasharon.
Yosef Abu-Laben gave Beersheba a 30th minute lead, but Tomer Swisa equalized nine minutes later and completed the comeback eight minutes from time after Moti Malka was sent off in the 54th minute.
Baruch Dego clinched Ramat Hasharon’s first-ever top flight win in the 89th minute.
“I was very proud to coach Beersheba,” said Klinger, sounding as if he already knows he will not be continuing at the club. “I can’t run away from the responsibility. I think we have a good team here, but the results aren’t great and I will need to decide if I want to fight on.”
Guy Tzarfati’s stunning goal from 40 meters out gave Hapoel Petah Tikva the lead in the 10th minute of the derby against Maccabi Petah Tikva in Ramat Gan, but Marwan Kabha ensured the match ended in a 1-1 draw after his shot from the edge of the area took a deflection and flew into the back of the net on the stroke of halftime.
Also Saturday, Ahmed Saba’s two late goals (87, 89) gave Maccabi Netanya a dramatic 2- 1 win over Bnei Yehuda, which led through Gal Cohen’s strike (75).
Ironi Kiryat Shmona and Ashdod SC drew 0-0.
After playing in the Europa League on Thursday night, Israel’s big three will all be in action on Sunday, with Maccabi Haifa hosting Hapoel Rishon Lezion, Hapoel Tel Aviv visiting Hapoel Acre and Maccabi Tel Aviv facing Bnei Sakhnin.