Beitar Jerusalem stunned Maccabi Haifa 2-1 as Ziv Ben Shimol scored the late winner to snatch the 3-points and send the yellow-and-black faithful into delirium. The victory cut the Hapoel Beer Sheva lead atop the table to just 2-points as Barak Itzhaki’s team will now ready for a State Cup date against Ironi Tiberias at Green Stadium in Nazareth Elite.

After a goalless opening first half that saw the greens in control, Omer Atzily was tripped up the box by Yinon Fainegezict and slotted home the penalty for a 1-0 Beitar advantage. However, the lead was short lived as Kenji Gorre scored just minutes later to even up the contest, but Ziv Ben Shimol slotted home the winning marker in the 95th minute to wrap the game up and send Beitar Jerusalem home happy.

Barak Itzhaki reflected on the victory, “This was a very important win for us and although this wasn’t one of our best games, we knew how to win the game in a packed Sammy Ofer Stadium against a team like Maccabi Haifa. Last season we had a good first round, things then fell off on the second and we didn’t play well in the playoffs. Here we won a tough game and that’s what we need to do this season. I’m happy that we are a fun team to watch and we hope to continue to go on our way.”

Haifa Head Coach Barak Bachar spoke about the defeat, “Everyone saw that we played well but we had to make some changes along the way and every player gave 100% in the game. We made a mistake which was unfortunate and now we have to move on. But at worst case we should have played this game to a draw.”

Ziv Ben Shimol talked about the winning goal, “I’m very happy that I was able to help the team win and we are really working hard. I want to prove to myself that I can play at this level, I’m focused on Beitar and I’m happy to be here. This was my biggest goal and we are very happy to be in this position to be able to be in the race for the championship and we will keep aiming for that goal.”

Kenji Gorre who scored his first goal with Haifa reflected on the club and the loss, “It’s frustrating not to start and ever player wants to start. It’s frustrating not getting the minutes, but I’m in a new country and new club and it’s not easy to move to something so new. Even though things aren’t going the right way right now we are building something and it’s not easy to come in and succeed right away, but I see a bright future ahead. To lose in this circumstance is painful but we are cultivating a group that is relentless. I’m excited for the future.”

Chances were at a premium early on for both sides although Haifa seemed to be a step ahead of Beitar on both sides of the pitch as an active Eitan Azulay’s attempt was smartly taken care of by Brayan Carabali as keeper Miguel Silva looked to have been beat to keep the match goalless. Kenny Saief kept pushing as his pass to Zohar Zasno was on the spot but the latter’s ball wildly missed the target, Dor Hugi’s header at the other end went out while Carabali again came to the rescue when he cleared an Azulay chance.

After Sean Goldberg was substituted off due to a head-on-head hit with teammate Yinon Fainegezict, the greens created one more opportunity ahead of the break in the five minutes of injury time added to the first half. Defender. Pierre Cornud sent a perfect ball into the box to Trivante Stewart but the Jamaican striker’s header was expertly pawed away by Beitar keeper Miguel Silva as the sides went into the break goalless.

The second began with a number of half injuries instead of half chances by both teams as opportunities were at a premium, Kenji Gorre’s attempt was saved by Silva while the Beitar shot stopper punched away a Haifa corner that was followed up by

However, against the run of play, Fainegezict tripped up Atzily in the box and gave Beitar the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot as the aforementioned Atzily promptly put the ball past a helpless Heorhiy Yermakov to give the visitors a shock 1-0 lead in the 79th minute.

But the Greens came right back as a red hot and wide open Gorre in the area put the ball past Silva to draw the hosts even at 1-1 in the 85th minute. Yarden Shua who came in as a substitute, had a brilliant chance as Silva sent the captain a long ball but somehow Yermakov was able to smother the opportunity to keep the score as is.

With the two sides looking satisfied to part ways with a draw deep into second half injury time, out of nowhere, Ziv Ben Shimol picked off the ball from Goni Naor, raced into the Haifa and put home the winner to send Beitar home with the 3-points.