Beitar routs Maccabi Tel Aviv in Jerusalem, secures Europa berth with Haifa loss

Beitar opened an unassailable four-point gap over Maccabi Haifa with one match to play after the Greens lost 1-0 to Maccabi Petah Tikva.

By ALLON SINAI
Beitar Jerusalem players celebrating (photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
Beitar Jerusalem players celebrating
(photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
Beitar Jerusalem booked its place in the Europa League next season on Monday, beating champion Maccabi Tel Aviv 3-0 at Teddy Stadium to wrap up fourth place.
Beitar opened an unassailable four-point gap over Maccabi Haifa with one match to play after the Greens lost 1-0 to Maccabi Petah Tikva.
Lidor Cohen (4) and Hanan Maman (36) made the most of Maccabi defensive mistakes to open a comfortable lead, with Itzik Cohen (89) capping the win against the yellow-andblue, which secured its third straight championship and won the State Cup last week.
Omer Danino scored Petah Tikva’s winner in the 73rd minute on Monday to end Haifa’s hopes and cap its disappointing season.
Meanwhile, Hapoel Beersheba continued its preparations for next season on Monday after losing all hope of finishing in second place following the 3-1 defeat at Ironi Kiryat Shmona on Sunday.
Beersheba will end the campaign in third position regardless of the result it records in its final match of the season against Beitar.
Since the announcement that coach Elisha Levy will not have his contract renewed and will leave the club after three seasons, Beersheba lost 4-0 Maccabi Haifa, 6-2 to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the State Cup final and 3-1 at Kiryat Shmona.
Beersheba owner Alona Barkat decided to part ways with Levy after learning of the availability of Kiryat Shmona coach Barak Bachar, who was sacked by owner Izzy Sheratzky after he discovered of the negotiations.
Beersheba officially announced the signing of Bachar following Sunday’s loss and two new players are set to join him at the club this week.
Kiryat Shmona defender Shir Tzedek will follow Bachar down South, with Nigerian Anthony Nwakaeme on the verge of joining from Hapoel Ra’anana.