Maccabi Tel Aviv scored three unanswered goals to overcome Umm al-Fahm 3-2 to advance to the Israel State Cup Round of 16 at the Akko Stadium. Eran Zahavi’s brace bested Liran Sardel’s pair of goals as the visitors were able to just squak by a rival that had eliminated them from the competition in the recent past.

Liran Sardel scored his first of two to give the hosts a shock lead in first half injury time when he blasted the ball past yellow-and-blue keeper Daniel Peretz to take a 1-0 advantage into halftime. Sardel doubled the advantage in the 55th minute but less than ten minutes later Vladen Ivic’s squad began to mount a comeback. Djorde Jovanovic took an Oscar Glouch pass, spun in the box and slotted the ball home to cue the lead to 2-1. Eran Zahavi was tripped up in the box in they 65th minute and made no mistake with his penalty kick to draw even at 2-2. In the 83rd minute it was Zahavi again as the super striker blasted the ball into the net for the win.

“This was a tough game,” Ivic said. “They had a very good defensive line and they played behind the ball for the majority of the time. We couldn’t do what we wanted to as they were very organized. They scored the first goal off a big mistake by us and the second goal was a huge shock. But my players showed character and scored three goals as the result was justified in the end.”

“The game was in our hands when it was 2-0,” Umm Al-Fahm coach Adham Hadiyah said. “The game was going our way but unfortunately it ended up heading in favor of Maccabi after a number of non-calls.”

Eran Zahavi look back at the game from his point of view, “State Cup hame are never simple. We were in a hole and we had to start changing after the game and we started to be under pressure. Umm al-Fahm did everything they could on what is not an easy pitch to play on. I am happy that we showed character and advanced to the next stage.”

Beitar Jerusalem blanked Kafr Qasim 4-0 at Teddy Stadium to punch their ticket to the next round. Ion Nicolaescu broke the ice in the 17th minute while a Yazan Nassar own goal gave Yossi Abuksis’s squad a 2-0 lead early in the second half. In the 69th minute Orel Dagani sent a through ball to Danilo Asprilla for a 3-0 lead and just three minutes later Dagani did it again this tine to Bar Cohen who polished off the win.

“We came into this game very ready to go exactly how we should, “ Beitar coach Yossi Abuksis said. “I have to give credit to the players. We came in as favorites against a team that tried to close down the pitch and make it tough for us. We were organized and we deserved the win. We didn’t want to have any surprises and I am happy that this went like it should.”

Nicolaescu also reflected on the game, “We had a good game and we were able to be aggressive right from the first minute of the game. We had many chances and we could have even won by more. We worked very hard and that is the reason why we palled so well.”

Maccabi Netanya needed penalties to get by Kiryat Shemona 1-1 (4-3) up in the northern capital. Itamar Shviro gave Menachem Koretzky’s side a quick 1-0 lead as he took advantage of a Muhammed Shaker cross but Amir Berkowitz came right back off a counter attack to knot the game up at 1-1 by the 8th minute. Following overtime, the match headed to a penalty shootout that as keeper Itamar Nitzan made a pair of saved and Patrick Twumasi scored the decisive spot kick to send the diamond city squad into the Round of 16.

“This was a crazy game,” Netanya bench boss Rom Kozuk said. “We should have put this game away much earlier as we had so many chances that just didn’t go in. We prepared really well for this game and I want to acknowledge my staff that barely slept for days. The players are winners.”

“There’s nothing to do, penalties are part of the game and part of the State Cup,” Kiryat Shemona coach Menachem Koretzky explained. “Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. There are teams that lose in bigger situations than this. We wanted to crate some positive momentum ahead of the league games.”

The hero of the game, Netanya keeper Itamar Nitzan spoke about the win, “I always focus on what I can do was best as possible for Maccabi Netanya. I’m happy that I was able to help the team win the game and advance to the next stage of the competition. We still have plenty to do in order to improve but we have a great team and great staff, the best I have ever had and I am proud to be a part of this.”

Maccabi Haifa slipped by Hapoel Nof Hagalil 1-0 as Muhammad Abu Fani scored the lone goal of the match to send the Greens into the next round.

“We needed to advance to the next stage and that’s what we did,” Barak Bachar said following the game. “This was a very dull game and we didn’t create many chances and I’m happy we moved on.”

Ashdod sunk Hapoel Beer Sheva 2-1 as the reining State Cup holders were eliminated early on in the competition. Ramzi Safouri opened up the scoring in the first half for Elyaniv Barda’s club but Ebenezer Mamatah took a Muhammad Knaan thorough ball to draw even in the 49th minute. Knaaan then slotted home a 82nd minute penalty in to take the shock win.

“This is bigger than a win,” an excited Ashdod coach Ran Ben Shimon explained. “To come into this game with injuries and with players who were suspended and give this type of performance is just something else. It was a lot of fun to watch this game unfold and I’m so proud of the players.”

“This was not a good game,” a disappointed Barda said. “In the first half they didn’t have any chances against us but in the second half we just didn’t come out properly and Ashdod deserve the credit. The players need to look at themselves as to what they didn’t do well. We lost a title and that is very painful.”

Leumit League stalwart Hapoel Afula stunned Hapoel Tel Aviv 1-0 on a Shachar Hirsch second half strike to eliminate the Premier League squad.

“Perhaps our mentality towards this game was why we lost,” Reds coach Slobodan Drapic said. “In these types of games where the opponent gives their maximum, you must be ready. There were parts of the game that we were good and created chances. I’m sad for the fans and the club.”

“We believed from the first minute of the game,” Afula coach Shachar Vizinger said. “We had five days to prepare and we knew that we could score a goal or two.”

In other action, Hapoel Kfar Saba defeated Hapoel Hadera 3-1 as the second division squad used a second half Gal Katabi brace to move onto the next round of State Cup play, while Ironi Tiberias took down AS Ashdod 2-1 as Julio Cesar headed home the winning goal for the Kineret based Leumit team. Also, Maccabi Petah Tikva knocked off Hapoel Jerusalem 1-0 as Hadar Fuchs headed home the lone marker.

Other scores included, Hapoel Haifa got by Bnei Shafram 4-4 (4-2) on penalties, Maccabi Bnei Reineh over Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion 3-0, Sektzia Nes Ziona downed Hapoel Acre 3-2, Bnei Sakhnin blanked Hapoel Qalansawe 3-0, Hapoel Ramat Hasharon defeated Holon 2-0, Hapoel Petah Tikva overcame Tira 3-2 and Maccabi Ahi Nazareth blasted Tzofi Haifa 5-1.