Maccabi Netanya and Hapoel Jerusalem played to a 1-1 draw that saw plenty of action from both sides while Isaac, who scored for Netanya in the first half was sent off with a second yellow card late in the game as the teams earned a split of the points at the Netanya Stadium.

Roni Levy’s Netanya opened strong with multiple chances on goal throughout the first half as they finally came through just ahead of the break when Isaac took a short pass from Bassam Zamora and scored a gorgeous left footed strike off.

However, Nadim Warsana found the equalizer after a corner kick as Lior Zada’s squad drew even in the 69th minute. Things went from bad to worse for the diamond city side as Isaac was sent off with a second yellow card, but despite chances from both squads there were no more goals to be had as a split of the points were in the cards for this match.

Roni Levy spoke about the draw, “There are times when things get stuck in the game of football and we have done a lot this season with the team. It’s just not going the way we want it to and we draw at home but we were down to the men and we could have lost the game. We are playing attacking football and it looks positive and the team is working hard. There are boos but we need the fans to be with us because the guys need confidence and they are really doing the maximum.”

Lior Zada shared his thoughts on the result, “We didn’t have enough time with a man advantage to be disappointed with just a draw but I’m content that after a run of losses that we were able to take a point here. We were disappointed after conceding a goal at the end of the first half, but we came back strong in the second half which we didn’t do last week against Hapoel Tel Aviv and we earned a draw which I’ll take.”

Beitar Jerusalem and Kiryat Shemona played to a 1-1 draw as Adi Yona scored via a header off an Omer Atzily ball in the opening half but a late penalty, deep into second half injury time by Amadou Sagna that saw Timoti Muzie sent off due to his second yellow card stunned the yellow-and-black as the northerners snatched a point from the jaws of defeat.

“As we saw on the pitch, we had a feeling it wasn’t a penalty,” Beitar assistant coach Aviram Bruchian said. “We went into the dressing room and watched the video. We were certain VAR would intervene, but it didn’t happen. It’s extremely disappointing. We’re convinced there was nothing there, especially in such a late moment in a heated match. To give a penalty in the 90th minute and beyond, VAR should have intervened.”

Kiryat Shemona Head Coach Shai Barda said, “I won’t lie, this is a difficult period for us and I’m very happy because these players deserve this point. I’m not greedy at all; I’m very satisfied with the point. We created enough chances against an outstanding team with significant advantages over us. We troubled them more than once and I’m happy. We can come away with a smile after this game.”

Hapoel Haifa defeated Hapoel Petach Tikva 2-1 as goals by Alon Turgeman from in close and Naor Sabag via a header off a corner kick were enough to help the Carmel reds take the points as Yves Bile broke up the clean sheet in second half injury time.

“It was important for us, after the defeats to Ramat Gan and Maccabi Tel Aviv, to come home, put an end to that run, and get a win,” Haifa Head Coach Haim Silvas began. “There’s no denying that the first half was a bit of a grind and that we were looking for the right moment to break forward, and we did that. We controlled the game and we deserved the win. It’s a little disappointing to concede a goal at the end and there’s still a lot of work to do.”

Petach Tikva bench boss Omer Peretz did not hide his disappointment with loss, “We’re not playing well and there’s no point denying it. Today was a fairly even game, but then we conceded and had to chase the match. We’re lacking confidence and at the moment, we’re also lacking quality. I don’t know any other solution than starting a new week, working hard and preparing to play Hapoel Ramat Gan and get some points.”

Bnei Sakhnin and Ironi Tiberias drew 1-1 as Mansour Badjie gave the Kineret side the first half advantage but Ori Dahan headed in the equalizer to earn a point a piece for their efforts.

Yossi Abukasis reflected on the match, “This was by far our best performance of the season. We had complete control, with pressing, winning the ball back, creating chances, everything we could have asked for, except putting the ball in the net. It’s very difficult to chase a team like Tiberias as they’re defensively strong. It was an excellent performance from us. Sometimes you play games like this and lose, so we should be happy with the point.”

“We escaped this game by the skin of our teeth,” Tiberias Head Coach Alon Ziv said. “We had some good counterattacks in the first half, but then we dropped too deep and failed to get into the game in the second half. We came away with a point, but it was a very difficult one.”