Maccabi Haifa slipped by Bnei Sakhnin 1-0 as Tjaron Chery scored a magnificent second half goal as he chipped the ball over the helpless Gad Amos to help the hosts to the 3-points and the win.

“The players really put in a huge effort and this was one of our best games,” Haifa coach Barak Bachar said. “I am happy for them all and proud of them. Chery could have scored a pair of goals by the time he finally found the back of the goal. We took a big step towards the championship but we have some very tough games coming up.”

“We are a good team and we are rightfully here,” Sakhnin coach Haim Silvas began. “The guys had a great season and while I was hoping we would be a bit better but Haifa had many chances. We gave them a bit too much respect and the atmosphere hurt us.”

The goal scorer Tjaron Chery spoke about the game as well, “I don’t know if I am “Mr. Money Time” but sometimes I am and sometimes other players are. This was an important game and we are getting closer to the title but we aren’t there yet.”

Hapoel Beer Sheva blanked Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 on a Header Lopes goal in the first half to take the 3-points and stay in the championship race. The two squads will play once again on Wednesday in the State Cup semifinal which will be held at Bloomfield Stadium.

“This was an important win and this had no influence at all on what will be in the State Cup game on Wednesday,” Beer Sheva coach Elyaniv Barda said. “We have a couple of days to rest and recuperate and I will see who will play as to who is fit and prepared to play.”

“We didn’t play our game and we didn’t have good position when we had the ball,” Maccabi bench boss Mladen Krstajic said. “It was not a good game. We need to understand the mistakes that we made and correct them over the next few games before the State Cup.”

Hapoel Tel Aviv dropped Maccabi Netanya 2-0 as Dan Einbinder scored via penalty while Adi Gutlieb headed home a Shlomi Azoulay corner to take the 3-points and the win.

“We recorded an important win against a quality side,” Hapoel coach Kobi Refuah began. “Last game we had a tough go against Netanya and we learned from our mistakes and I am happy that the results speak for themselves. I know everyone is now waiting for the Derby next week and it’s a good feeling.”

“I have to give credit to Hapoel Tel Aviv, they wanted this game more than us,” Netanya bench boss Benny Lam said. “There was only one team on the pitch and we couldn’t collect any points. Hapoel played excellent football.”