Beitar Jerusalem defeated Hapoel Nof HaGalil 2-0 as the capital city squad recorded the win and the 3-points. After a goalless first half, Yarden Shua sent a 19 meter scorcher into the left corner of the goal in the 68th minute while an own goal ten minutes later wrapped up the victory to move a bit further away from the relegation zone.

“This was a good week in terms of results and that was very critical for us,” Beitar coach Ypssi Abuksis said. “We recorded a very important win, played very well defensively and we knew how to play properly the entire game. We are happy with the result but we still have work to do.”

“Our first half went as planned,” Nof HaGalil coach Shay Barda said. “But when you attack and press and then make a pair of major mistakes you’ll lose the match. It’s very disappointing when we press but can’t score then give up a goal. We will do what we can going forward.”

Kiryat Shemona downed Hapoel Jerusalem 2-1 up in the northern capital. Itamar Shviro opened the scoring from in close with a 19th minute strike to give the hosts a 1-0 lead, but William Agada headed home the equalizer in the second half. However, Mohammed Shaker scored the winner with ease in the 79th minute to give the hosts the win and the 3-points.

“We needed this win and we were able to take advantage of a Hapoel Jerusalem team that is playing under a tremendous amount of pressure,” Kiryat Shemona coach Slobodan Drapic said. “Our goal is to finish first in the relegation playoffs and we have to attain that.”

“There’s not much to say,” Jerusalem boss Ziv Arie said. “We had a number of chances when the game was goalless and they ended up scoring. We drew even in the second half but we gave up the winner and that was the end of the story. We lost points and if we don’t begin winning games we will be in trouble.”

Ashdod slipped by Maccabi Petah Tikva 1-0 as Adi Mehremic’s own goal off a corner handed the port city side the 3-points and the win as Nir Klinger’s squad will remain in the relegation zone for yet another week.

“In the types of situations we have to take advantage of any opportunities that we have,” Klinger said. “We needed to have more self confidence when trying to finish off the chances that we had. We have to play better and more dynamic soccer in order not to succumb to the pressure.”

“This was an important win for us to ensure that we stay in the league and from this point on I can say that we will be playing upbeat soccer util the end of the season,” Ashdod coach Ran Ben Shimon said. “We made a large number of changes going into this season and these players will have the chance to do some really nice things next campaign.”

Hapoel Haifa blanked Hapoel Hadera 1-0 as Gal Arel took advantage of an Aviv Lin turnover to score the lone goal of the match in the 20th minute as the hosts took the points.

“We didn’t play big soccer, but we were organized and needed to win which is exactly what we did,” Hapoel Haifa coach Elisha Levy explained. “Now we can begin focussing on Maccabi Haifa and the State Cup semifinal where anything can happen. We will do everything we need to and all of our energies will be directed to that game.”

“We made a lot of changes in our lineup in order to give the youngsters a chance to play,” Hadera bench boss Menachem Koretzky said. “Haifa took advantage of a mistake to score a goal and that made all the difference in the game.”

Bnei Sakhnin and Maccabi Netanya played to a 1-1 draw to split the points in the Galilee. After a goalless first half, Boris Enow put the diamond city side on the board first with a 75th strike but Guy Melamed pounced all over a ball in the box and scored from in close to earn his team a point.

“This was a good result for us,” Haim Silvas, the Bnei Sakhnin coach began. “I don’t think that Netanya will catch us the way we played like this again. This was a game of cat and mouse and the draw is a true reflection of this game. It’s true that they were superior in the second half but the bottom line is that the result was a draw.”

“I didn’t like how we played in the first half and in the second half there as only one team on the pitch,” Netanya coach Benny Lam said. “Other than the goal they scored they didn’t threaten at all, but that’s soccer. We are a good club and one that is healthy and strong as we look to take one of the European spots.”

Hapoel Beer Sheva hosted Hapoel Tel Aviv to a 2-2 draw at the southern capital. Rotem Hatuel gave Beer Sheva a quick lead when Rotem Hatiel finished off a free kick attempt in the 6th minute for a 1-0 advantage. However, Freddy Plumain who recently joined Hapoel Tel Aviv gave his new team a 2-1 lead with a second half brace as he scored thanks to assists by Osher Davida and Shlomi Azoulay respectively. But Mariano Bareiro found the tying goal when he nodded home a Hatuel cross as the squads split the points.

“Despite leading in the first half we just weren’t good enough and were exposed,” Beer Sheva coach Elyaniv Barda said. “We started off the second half very poorly and I was forced to make three quick substitutions. I am happy that we ended up finding a way to draw but we have a lot to work on.”

“We had so many chances,” Tel Aviv bench boss Kobi Refuah began. “We began the second half well and we took a 2-1 lead with a chance to score even more. But unfortunately we were unable to hold on and I should have made some earlier substitutions. We could have decided the game and now I am disappointed with the result.”