Hap BS notches first win before Klinger steps down

It was a surprise Klinger was still at the helm for Saturday’s match, it was more shocking he decided to walk out on Beersheba after it finally claimed a win.

By ALLON SINAI
Beersheba coach Nir Klinger_311 (photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Beersheba coach Nir Klinger_311
(photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Nir Klinger left Hapoel Beersheba on Saturday night, announcing his resignation in his post-match TV interview moments after his team finally picked up its first points of the Premier League season, defeating Hapoel Haifa 2-0 at Kiryat Eliezer Stadium.
After beginning the season with six straight defeats, it was a surprise Klinger was still at the helm for Saturday’s match, but it was even more shocking that he decided to walk out on Beersheba after it finally managed to claim a win.
Oded Gavish scored the opener in the 17th minute, with Amjad Suliman clinching the three points with a goal from 20 meters out in the 66th minute.
“I’m very pleased with my team’s performance today,” Klinger said. “But I think matters got out of hand following the recent defeats. I’m very happy for the players, but I’m going to be leaving the team for many reasons.
“It’s easy to leave when the team is losing, but I had no intention of doing that. I should have already gone after what happened with the fans last week, but now I’m leaving the team in a good situation after it has won its first match of the season.”
Haifa coach Nitzan Shirazi might also be looking for a new job in the near future, with his team picking up just a single point in its first seven matches following Saturday’s defeat.
After its impressive start to the season, Betar Jerusalem fans are beginning to panic following the team’s second straight defeat on Saturday.
Ashdod SC recorded a resounding 3-0 home win over Betar, with David Revivo (47), Idan Shriki (58) and Moshe Ben- Lulu (63) scoring the goals.
Also Saturday, Bnei Yehuda beat Hapoel Rishon Lezion 1-0 courtesy of Pini Balili’s 11th minute goal, while Ironi Kiryat Shmona defeated Hapoel Ramat Hasharon by the same score-line thanks to Shimon Abu Hazeira’s winner (67).
Hapoel Acre drew 0-0 at Hapoel Petah Tikva.
Bnei Sakhnin hosts Maccabi Petah Tikva on Sunday, with Hapoel Tel Aviv visiting Maccabi Netanya on Monday and Maccabi Tel Aviv welcoming Maccabi Haifa.