Hapoel Beer Sheva downed Kiryat Shemona 3-2 as Eliel Peretz scored a brace to help the southern reds move back into first place. Or Blorian headed home a Kings Kangwa ball in the 9th minute to give the hosts a 1-0 lead, but Yair Mordechai’s long range shot beat Ofir Marciano to draw the northerners even a quarter hour later.

However, Peretz scored his first of the match thanks to Zahi Ahmed’s ball while he then completed his brace early in the second half to give Beer Sheva a two-goal lead. Mordechai cut the gap to 3-2 in the 68th minute but that would be as close as Kiryat Shemona would get as Beer Sheva took the 3-points.

Beer Sheva Head Coach Ran Kozuk discussed the victory, “There are things I’m not happy with the game, but I’m happy with the 3-points. Against Hapoel Tel Aviv we played an excellent game and ended up losing; of course there are many things we need to improve, but we have to embrace the victory. We had a very large number of chances and this game should have ended with a much bigger margin.”

Kiryat Shemona bench boss Shay Barda also shared his thoughts on the loss, “I really don’t want compliments; I’m very angry and disappointed. Ofir Marciano was the man of the match and that says it all. Offensively we did our job, but we conceded goals that are simply unacceptable. I don’t want compliments, I want points.”

Maccabi Netanya pounded Maccabi Haifa 4-1 as Heriberto Tavares scored a brace and added an assist in the victory. Maor Levi opened the scoring from get top of the box as he scored off a Matheus Davó assist to give the hosts an earthy 1-0 lead in get 3rd minute. However, Kenji Gorre sent a beautiful ball to Silva Kangani who headed it into the goal from the middle of the area to draw then greens even just four minutes later.

But Roni Levy’s squad took a 2-1 advantage in the break as Tavares slammed the ball home after it had caromed off the post in first half injury time. Tavares scored his second of the match when Maor Levi stripped Navot Ratner of the ball and then sent it to the winger who was in full stride down the pitch to give the diamond city side a 3-1 lead in the 54th minute. As the match hit second half injury time Tavares was once again in the middle of the action as he raced through the middle of the field and slotted the ball to Basam Zaarura who put it behind a helpless Georgiy Yermakov to wrap up the 4-1 victory.

Maccabi Haifa Head Coach Barak Bachar reflected on the loss, “We wanted to keep the momentum going and show that it wasn’t a coincidence that we won last week 4-1 over Maccabi Tel Aviv. We came prepared, but on the pitch we weren’t aggressive enough. Netanya moved very quickly in transition, we were punished for it and deservedly lost. It wasn’t only that the midfield was soft, on the wings as well we were late and didn’t create contact. We were exposed through the middle. We need to analyze this.”

Maccabi Netanya bench boss Roni Levy was pleasantly surprised about how the team played, “I didn’t expect a performance like this. We came into the match in less-than-ideal conditions, also after the loss to Sakhnin and facing Maccabi Haifa in great form. We knew we would need to rise to the occasion. I had no doubt it would be a bit difficult in terms of confidence, especially with the desire to keep possession. We also changed our playing style somewhat and it takes time to make those adjustments.”

Hapoel Jerusalem defeated Hapoel Petach Tikva 2-1 as Andrew Idoko scored a goal of the season candidate with a tremendous bicycle kick to give the reds the 3-points and the win. After a goalless first half, Tamir Haimovitz sent a blistering shot behind Omer Katz from 25 meters out to give Hapoel Jerusalem a 1-0 lead but Mark Koszta’s brilliant free kick in the 68th minute drew Hapoel Petach Tikva even. However, Andrew Idoko’s bicycle kick goal thanks to a Mohamed Diab headed ball, deep into second half injury time handed the capital city reds the victory

“We needed that goal and I’m very happy for him,” Hapoel Jerusalem Head Coach Ziv Arie began. “I’m not sure how this will influence our team but this was a positive result and the luck finally turned our way. The new striker we brought in has potential and he’s only been here for a couple of days but we are excited to see what he can do.”

Hapoel Petach Tikva Head Coach Omer Peretz spoke about the loss, “It’s not a great feeling to lose the way we did and it’s twice in a week that we did in a game where we conceded during injury time. We tried to create chances but they really defended close to the goal and we practiced for this but it’s very difficult to get opportunities to score.”

Jerusalem keeper Nadav Zamir spoke about the victory, “It’s amazing, our second win in a row and it’s the first time this happened to us this season so we’re very happy. I’m here to do the best that I can and I’m content that I was able to keep a clean sheet as well.”

Golan Beni reflected on the defeat, “It’s disappointing to lose the way we did and I wouldn’t say we were naive but they defended for a good part of the game. We have to get back on track.”

Maccabi Bnei Reineh slipped by Hapoel Haifa 1-0 thanks to Antonio Sefer’s 80th minute penalty to hand the visitors the 3-points and the win.

Reineh Head Coach Adham Hadiya spoke about the win, “We’ve been showing good ability recently. Things didn’t connect early on but the players deserve huge credit in this game. We believe and want to succeed. We’re not giving up, I believe in our guys. The squad is deeper, there’s rotation.”

Haifa Head Coach Gal Arel reflected on the defeat, “This was a very painful loss. I think the fans, the players and I all feel the pain. To come to a game like this, create so many chances and not put the ball in the net, it’s frustrating. We missed countless opportunities. I think that if we analyze the game, they didn’t deserve even a draw, but you have to put the ball in the net.”

Bnei Sakhnin and Ironi Tiberias drew 1-1 as Artur Miranyan scored in the 66th minute to give the visiting Galilee side the lead but Itamar Shviro’s penalty in second half injury time for the Kineret based squad split the points.

Sakhnin Head Coach Sharon Mimer spoke after the game, “We weren’t robbed, but we gave them a gift. I don’t remember my goalkeeper even having to dive today. It’s a shame about the win that slipped away, because it really would have pushed us forward. It’s a shame, because we had chances to close out the game, but that’s football.”

Tiberias Bench Boss Eliran Hodedah shared his thoughts, “Sakhnin didn’t really create many chances and their goal came from a serious defensive mistake on our part. We weren’t good in the first half and in the second half we made adjustments. Our substitutions were also good and brought the change we needed so I’m happy we managed to come back when we were behind.”