Hapoel Beer Sheva blanked Hapoel Petach Tikva 3-0 as Igor Zlatanovic scored a brace to help the southern reds to the win and the 3-points to stay atop the table. Zlatanovic opened the scoring when he nodded home an Amir Genach ball into the box as keeper Omer Katz’s poor effort allowed the striker to give the hosts a 1-0- lead in the 30th minute. Helder Lopes doubled the advantage ahead of halftime as he stabbed home the ball in the box while just minutes into the second half Zlatanovic was pulled down the Katz as the striker slotted the penalty past the shot stopper for the 3-0 win.

Hapoel Beer Sheva bench boss Ron Kozuk said, “We made it to the playoffs and we talked about the moments where we fell short in the previous two matches and sharpened them up. We did it big time, both defensively and in transitions to attack. We came in and played for the fans in a full, lively and joyful Turner Stadium. It was important for us to put on a performance for them. We talked about our fans, who last year supported us like a championship crowd and we didn’t manage to deliver that. Hopefully this time we will.”

Hapoel Petach Tikva Head Coach Omer Peretz commented, “Not a good result. It started well, but in a stadium like this, when you make mistakes, you pay very quickly. We started the game well and then they scored from a set piece. The intensity rose very quickly and the moment you lose focus, you’re punished. They have ‘money-time’ players and they’re playing for the championship.”

Maccabi Bnei Reineh stunned Hapoel Haifa 3-2 as Vitale Damascan recorded a brace in the victory that moves the club closer to the red line as they look to stave off relegation. Alon Turgeman opened the scoring when he nodded home a corner kick to give the Carmel Reds a 1-0 lead but Damascan drew the visitors even as he was left all alone in the center of the box and pounded the ball into the goal in the 25th minute. However, both Turgeman and Damascan each scored again within minutes of each other to keep the match even at 2-2. But before the break, Reineh was awarded an indirect free kick as Antonio Sefer slotted the ball home from the top of the box to hand Reineh the 3-2 victory.

Bnei Reineh Head Coach Lior Reuven spoke about the win but chose not to get too carried away as the club is still in the thick of the fight against relegation, “I don’t think the relegation battle has opened up. We’re still in last place and I don’t think we should get confused but we’ll keep playing hard. I don’t think we need to look too far ahead.”

Hapoel Haifa bench boss Haim Silvas didn’t hide his frustration, “I’m very disappointed, angry in fact and it hurts me, mainly for the club and the fans who came here with big expectations. I have no explanation for the first half. We conceded easily and went ahead twice, Reineh gambled, pushed forward and it paid off for them. I’m angry about our performance.”

Maccabi Netanya slipped by Ashdod 2-1 to collect the 3-points and the home win. After a goalless first half, Itay Ben Shabbat gave the diamond city squad a 1-0 lead early on in the second half while Bakary Konate doubled the advantage in the 76th minute. Eugene Ansah scored a penalty deep into injury time but that would be as close as the port city side would get as Netanya wrapped up the win.

Maccabi Netanya Head Coach Roni Levy summed up the victory, “The guys came committed and we played serious from the start. Ashdod is very dangerous in the attacking third and we contained them very well while limiting them to very few chances. When a team like Ashdod is fighting for its life and it’s talented and defends well, it’s very hard to create chances.”

Ashdod bench boss Avi Avinu said, “The first half was fairly even but in the second half, I don’t know what happened, we were soft. We’ll have to figure out how to get points, because that’s the only way we’ll stay in the league.”

Bnei Sahknin and Ironi Tiberias played to a goalless draw as the sides split the points in the Galilee.

Sahknin Head Coach Yossi Abukasis said, “We didn’t start the game well, but as the minutes went by, we got into it better and in the end we had chances to win. We were better towards the end, but the draw ultimately reflects the game.”

Tiberias Head Coach Eliran Hoddeda commented on the draw, “We started well. Toward the end, the momentum was with Sakhnin but all in all the draw was a fair result. Doha is a tough and tight place to play. You need to be mentally strong to leave here with points.”