Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ironi Tiberias drew 1-1 as Sagiv Yehezkel opened the scoring for the yellow-and-blue in the first half while Nov Gotlieb found the equalizer in the second half as the sides split the points at Bloomfield Stadium.

Maccabi bench boss Žarko Lazetić spoke about the draw, “Disappointing result in the end. We scored a goal, but it wasn’t enough. They managed to score from one situation and that’s what happens when you play under so much pressure. Very disappointing. After they scored, we felt the pressure of having to do something, but there wasn’t enough belief. We need to take more responsibility in difficult moments. I and all the players need to take more responsibility.”

Tiberias Head Coach Eliran Hodda reflected on the result, “Our system worked mainly in the second half because in the first half we didn’t match up well enough. However, we changed that with a substitution in the 35th minute and then we looked completely different. I’m very happy and proud of the guys for the result in one of the toughest away matches in the league.”

Bnei Sakhnin blanked Hapoel Haifa 2-0 thanks to a pair of second half goals to give Sharon Mimer’s side the win and the 3-points. After a goalless first half of play Jubayer Busnak pounced on a juicy rebound to give the Galilee squad a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute while Yusef Mustafa Sheh slotted home a Alon Azugi cross in the box to close out the victory.

Sakhnin Head Coach Sharon Mimer spoke about the win, “I have to salute my players. They came and gave a big performance from the first minute and once again proved to me what kind of men they are. I enjoy every moment working with them; it’s no coincidence that we’re in this position. The guys work to the maximum in every training session and the staff alongside me also deserves a lot of credit.”

Carmel Reds Head Coach Gal Arel discussed the defeat, “A disappointing loss. I think we had many half-chances and there were a lot of issues with the final pass. I spoke to the players at halftime and told them to be patient and not lose concentration. Unfortunately, they scored a goal that in my opinion shouldn’t have stood.”

Maccabi Bnei Reineh outclassed Kiryat Shemona 3-1 to grab the 3-points up at Green Stadium. Kiryat Shemona took a 1-0 lead early on as Cristian Martinez slotted home a penalty in the 8th minute, but less than a quarter hour later, Owusu Kwabena scored a gorgeous volley just inside the left post to even cup the score at 1-1. Iyad Khalaili’s stunner from the top of the box gave Reineh a 2-1 lead as Muhamed Shaker put the finishing touches on the victory in the second half of play.

Reineh Head Coach Adham Hadiya said, “It was so important to take points at home and stay in the picture. Huge credit to the players as it’s not easy to come into a game like this with everything we’ve been going through for a while. We proved that there’s a good team here that doesn’t give up and we came back after an early deficit.”

Kiryat Shemona bench boss Shay Barda commented, “I’m disappointed and very frustrated. We started well; unfortunately, we’re conceding goals that we’re not allowed to concede. The responsibility is mine and we need to know how to find solutions with this short squad until January.”