Local Soccer: Sakhnin completes Toto Cup final four

Bnei Sakhnin joined Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Ashdod SC in the Toto Cup semifinals on Tuesday, defeating Ironi Kiryat Shmona 2-1 at National Stadium in Ramat Gan.

By ALLON SINAI
Bnei Sakhnin joined Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Ashdod SC in the Toto Cup semifinals on Tuesday, defeating Ironi Kiryat Shmona 2-1 at National Stadium in Ramat Gan. The tie was supposed to be played over two legs like the other three quarterfinals, but the Israel Football Association decided to condense it into one match, as the police barred the tie from taking place while fighting was going on in Gaza. Yuval Avidor gave Kiryat Shmona the lead in the 15th minute on Tuesday, but 10 minutes later Awudu Okocha was brought down in the box by Yaniv Lavi who was sent-off. Yehiel Tzagai converted the spot kick, and despite also going down to ten men in the 50th minute, Bnei Sakhnin clinched the win in the 78th on Ibrahim Basit's goal. "Advancing to the semifinals is very important to us," Abas Suan said. "This is a poor club and any extra income helps it a lot." The draw for the semifinals will be made on Wednesday.