Local Soccer: Betar saves face with injury time Cup equalizer

The game came three days after J'lem was unceremoniously dumped out of European competition following a 5-0 loss at Polish Champion Wisla Krakow.

By JEREMY LAST
Betar Boateng 224.88 (photo credit: AP)
Betar Boateng 224.88
(photo credit: AP)
Aviram Bruchian scored in injury time to prevent defeat for Betar Jerusalem against Maccabi Haifa in the Toto Cup on Saturday afternoon. The game, which finished 1-1, came three days after Jerusalem was unceremoniously dumped out of European competition following a 5-0 loss at Polish Champion Wisla Krakow in a UEFA Champions League qualifier. Krakow will go on to play Spanish powerhouse Barcelona for a place in the Champions League group stage, while Jerusalem was forced to take a step back and regroup. In a match played in searing temperatures, South African striker Fentini put Haifa ahead on 35 minutes. Bruchian equalized very late in the day with a stunning volley from the right of the penalty area to ensure last season's Premier League champion was undefeated in its first official match of the Israeli season. While no official decision has been made on the future of Betar coach Itzhak Schum, the former Maccabi Haifa coach and Betar Professional Manager Giora Spiegel met with club chairman Eli Arazi, General Manager Itzik Korenfine and legal advisor Elad Eizenberg on Friday. Israeli media has reported that former Betar coach Eli Ohana has already agreed terms to return to the club for a third stint as coach. In other Toto Cup matches this weekend, Hapoel Tel Aviv beat Ironi Kiryat Shmona 4-3 on Friday, Hapoel Petah Tikva lost 2-1 at home to Bnei Sakhnin and Ashdod SC beat Hakoach Amidar Ramat Gan on Saturday. On Sunday Maccabi Netanya hosts Bnei Yehuda ahead of its UEFA Cup debut on Thursday against Bulgarian team, Cherno More at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv. Maccabi Tel Aviv's revamped team, which includes former Bnei Sakhnin strike force of Maor Buzaglo and Ilya Yavorian, plays Maccabi Petah Tikva on Monday.