Beitar Jerusalem defeated Ironi Tiberias 3-2 as the yellow-and-black mounted a massive second half comeback in the capital city to take the 3-points and cut Hapoel Beer Sheva’s lead atop the table to just two points. Waheb Habiballah and Guy Hadida gave the visitors a stunning 2-0 lead at the break but goals by Luka Gadrani, Omer Aztily and Yarden Cohen helped Barak Itzahki’s side to the improbable win.

Tiberias grabbed a quick 1-0 lead off a break down the pitch as Habiballah put a Stanislav Bilenkyi ball past Miguel Silva in the 6th minute. Beitar began pushing for the equalizer but Gonzalez’s header off a Dor Micha cross missed the target going wide right, Boris Enow’s chance was caught by Ido Sharon as was Gadrani’s chance. However, just ahead of the break Silva’s reckless tackle on Bilenkyi gifting Hadida a penalty kick that was saved, but the midfielder pounced on his own rebound and scored to send the Kineret based squad into halftime holding a 2-0 advantage.

Beitar Head Coach Barak Itzhaki made a triple substitution to begin the second half as Atzily, Avi Ben Shimol and Timothy Muzie all entered the fray as the yellow-and-black pressed forward. Yarden Shua’s header off an Atzily cross missed the mark, Atzily’s shot from just inside of the box was saved and Enow’s screamer went over the bar in the 69th minute. Finally Beitar broke through as Shua sent a perfect corner kick into the box as Gadrani rose above the defenders and nodded the ball into the goal with authority to pull the hosts to within 2-1 in the 73rd minute.

Just two minutes later Gonzalez was yanked down in the box by keeper Ido Sharon as Atzily stepped up and scored the penalty to draw Beitar even at 2-2. The hosts pushed for the winner as Gonzalez’s header went wide of the right post but Cohen with a low liner from 30 meters out caromed off a Tiberias defender to give Beitar the lead in injury time as they held on to take the comeback win.

“It was very tough to play against Tiberias and I had to change our formation,” Beitar Jerusalem Head Coach Barak Itzhaki began. “This was the first game after such a long break and we needed to win it and we did so in style. It’s not easy to play without fans and we didn’t play the way I had wanted to in the first half and we needed to make the change and I’m happy that it worked.”

“It’s very disappointing to give up a goal in second half stoppage time after leading 2-0,” Tiberias bench boss Eliran Hodeida said. “We have to take the good things from the game and move forward from this. We tired in the second half due to the pace of play but regardless we should have never given up three goals.”

Hapoel Beer Sheva and Hapoel Petach Tikva played to a 1-1 draw as the two sides split the points. Zahi Ahmed put home a Muhamed Abu Romi ball to give Beer Sheva a 1-0 advantage in the 20th minute but Roei David drew Hapoel Petach Tikva even early on in the second half.

“There are still 33 points left to play for,” Beer Sheva Head Coach Ron Kozuk said after the draw. “It was a good game for us, especially in the first half. After that, it became harder for us to maintain the pace. Our problem was in defense, we were leading in a game that was comfortable for us and in the end we were punished. We weren’t focused enough and we could have conceded another goal as well.”

Hapoel Petach Tikva Head Coach Omer Peretz said, “It feels very good to return to play. The uncertainty was the hardest part during this period. We are aware of the situation in the country; we were patient and are happy that the league has resumed. The situation isn’t simple for anyone, but we’re glad we can bring a bit of normalcy to people at home.”

Kiryat Shemona blanked Bnei Sakhnin 2-0 as Mor Simantov and Adrian Ugarriza scored first half goals to hand the northerners the 3-points and the win. Simantov gave Kiryat Shemona a 1-0 lead when he beat Sakhnin keeper Muhamed Abu Nil inside of the box off of a free kick in the 7th minute while Ugarriza scored just before halftime to give Shai Barda’s team a 2-0 advantage as the hosts took the win.

Maccabi Bnei Reineh and Hapoel Jerusalem played to a goalless draw up in the Galilee as the capital city reds had a number of late chances but keeper Lior Gliklich came up big as time wound down as each team took a point for their efforts.