Hap TA tops Mac PT in first game since sacking Kashtan

Hapoel secures victory a day after Kashtan was stunningly sacked.

By ALLON SINAI
Salim Toama, Hapoel Tel Aviv 311 (photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Salim Toama, Hapoel Tel Aviv 311
(photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Hapoel Tel Aviv beat Maccabi Petah Tikva 3-1 in the Toto Cup semifinals on Tuesday night in its first match since Dror Kashtan’s firing, booking a meeting in the final against Ironi Kiryat Shmona.
Victor Merey gave Petah Tikva the lead after 35 minutes at Hamoshava Stadium in Petah Tikva, but goals from Walid Badier (40), Elroei Cohen (49) and Mirko Oremus (82) secured Hapoel’s victory a day after Kashtan was stunningly sacked.
Kiryat Shmona, which won the cup last season, beat Hapoel Beersheba 2-1 after extra time. David Solari put the Premier League leader in front after 12 minutes, but Ido Eksbard’s equalizer in the 48th forced extra time which was decided in the 118th minute by Ahmed Abed’s winner.
Earlier Tuesday, Israel Football Association chairman Avi Luzon promised that he will not allow anyone to incriminate him after being questioned for nine hours at the Fraud Department in Yavne.
“I’m certain both I and the IFA are innocent,” said Luzon, who was also interrogated extensively by police on Sunday in suspicion of match-fixing and interfering in the placement of officials.
“Nothing illegal was committed."
“I’m proud to say that no one in the State of Israel will ever be able to incriminate Avi Luzon.”