Upper Nazareth frustrates Maccabi Tel Aviv into draw
Group still unbeaten in Premier League after surprising Maccabi Tel Aviv with a goalless at Bloomfield.
By SHARON SOLOMONUpper Nazareth is still unbeaten in the Premier League this season after surprising Maccabi Tel Aviv with a goalless draw Saturday at Bloomfield Stadium.
Maccabi Petah Tikva, fresh off its European success, hosts Betar Jerusalem in one of two Sunday matches. Omri Afek will probably make his debut for the yellow and black, after recovering from his back injury.
Reigning league champion Maccabi Haifa faces challenger Hapoel Tel Aviv at Kiryat Eliezer in the season's most promising game so far. Nigerian striker Ibazito Ogabuna will be back in the opening line up for the reds.
Upper Nazareth 0,Maccabi Tel Aviv 0
The yellow-and-blue from Tel Aviv made their intent clear right from the kick off and pushed forward, with Eyal Berkovic running the show.
But Maccabi captain Avi Nimni and young striker Ro'i Dayan were very inaccurate in attack and failed to score from promising opportunities.
Giovanni Rosso started for the hosts, despite talk about problems with Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Nir Klinger.
Motti Ivanir's Upper Nazareth managed to withstand the pressure and the match ended in a stalemate, with the frustrated Maccabi fans calling for Klinger to resign.
Maccabi Netanya 3,Hapoel Kfar Saba 2
Kfar Saba started the game in an attacking formation and scored in the 16th minute, when Shalev Menashe's looping free kick bounced about 10 meters from the goal and landed in back of the net.
The hosts started pushing ahead, with veteran Tal Banin distributing the ball effectively in midfield. After a wonderful pass by Banin in the 29th minute, Alen Masudi found himself with only goalkeeper Avi Ivgy to beat. Masudi made no mistake and coolly rolled the ball into the Kfar Saba goal and leveled the score.
Netanya opened the second half with blistering attacks and scored two quick goals, in the 61st and 63rd minutes, thanks to some clinical finishing by Congolese Papi Kimoto and Asi Vasion.
Zoran Rayovic scored for Kfar Saba in extra time.
Maccabi Netanya recorded its first win of the season, after three straight losses.
"Despite a poor start, we improved in the later stages of the game," said a relieved Netanya coach Reuven Atar. "We beat a good team today and I am happy with the result."
Bnei Sakhnin 0,Hapoel Petah Tikva 2
Toto Tamuz (19) scored the opener, with Yossi Shivchon (90) providing late insurance.
Bnei Yehuda 2,Ashdod SC 1
In Friday's Matchday 4 opener, all three goals were scored in the last ten minutes. Ashdod's Yossi Ophir (84) gave the visitors the lead, but Mate Batterina (87) and Eli Biton (90) made sure that Bnei Yehuda returned home with three points.