Levy inspires Betar to thrilling win over Ramat Gan

Eran Levy and Croatian Dominik Glavina score and lead Betar Jerusalem to defeat Hapoel Ramat Gan 3-2.

By ALLON SINAI
Avi Rikan and Eran Levy 370 (photo credit: Asaf Klinger)
Avi Rikan and Eran Levy 370
(photo credit: Asaf Klinger)
Betar Jerusalem extended its unbeaten streak to seven matches and climbed up to fourth place in the Premier League standings on Sunday night after edging Hapoel Ramat Gan 3-2 in an entertaining encounter at Teddy Stadium.
The match was decided by the brilliance of Betar midfielder Eran Levy, who scored a delightful opener in the 20th minute before providing a genius assist for Jerusalem’s third goal of the night netted by Croatian Dominik Glavina, who also scored Betar’s second.
After picking up just two points from its first five matches, Betar has lost just once in 13 games and qualification for European competition is looking like a realistic goal for Eli Cohen’s men.
Ramat Gan controlled the possession early in the match, but it was Betar which scored the opener after Levy found the back of the net from the edge of the box with the side of his left foot.
Glavina doubled Jerusalem’s lead with a solo effort in the 34th minute, but David Manga handed Ramat Gan a lifeline with a superb finish five minutes from the break.
Levy’s sensational pass four minutes into the second half set up Glavina for Betar’s third goal and the hosts held on for the three points despite Ofir Hemo’s strike (72).
On Monday, Maccabi Tel Aviv hosts Hapoel Beersheba, desperate for a win which would take it back to the top of the standings.
Maccabi has won just two of its past five matches, drawing 0-0 last week at Ironi Kiryat Shmona.
However, the yellow-and-blue has won seven of its eight home matches so far this season, including its past three by a combined goal difference of 12-3.