Bnei Sakhnin got by Ashdod 5-3 in a goal fest of a game down by the Port City. Muhammed Knaan opened the scoring in the first minute when he scored off a perfect cross by Stav Nachmani to give the hosts a 1-0 lead, but less than a quarter hour later, Eyad Abu Abaid scored via a penalty to even up the game. Ahmad Salman fed Alexandre Ramalingom to give the visitors the lead but less than a minute later Roy Levy knotted the game up at 2-2 just ahead of halftime.

Ramalingom added his second of the game for a 3-2 Sakhnin lead as his long shot made its way behind Ashdod keeper Ariel Harush who then minutes later fumbled the ball into his own goal for a 4-2 advantage. Ebenezer Mamatah cut the lead to 4-3 in the 85th minute but Basil Khuri’s strike deep into injury time handed Slobodan Drapic’s team the win.

“There were a few goals here as if a Hanukkah miracle had come to Ashdod,” a festive Drapic said. “You don’t plan on scoring five goals, but you prepare properly for the game. We came back after that first goal we conceded which happened to us in the cup. We need to work on that issue urgently. We were really worried about this game but there is no doubt that the victory gives us the strength to continue on, but we definitely need to get stronger in January.”

“Our problem is well known, when we score we then concede the most goals in the league,” Ashdod coach Eli Levy said. “We have a problem, point by point, on defense and in our defensive game. We are trying to do the best we can and I can’t complain, the players are trying and we need to make some changes, but without reinforcements it will be difficult to survive, even more difficult than last season.”

Ironi Tiberias downed Kiryat Shemona 3-1 to pick up 3 huge points and move out of the league basement. Basam Zaarura scored via a header in the 20th minute to give Eliran Hodeida’s team a 1-0 lead but a quarter hour later Dudu Twito found the equalizer, capitalizing on a keeper mistake by Daniel Tenenbaum. Twito was once again at the center of attention in the 75th minute when he accidently headed the ball into his own goal to give Tiberias a 2-1 lead while Jordan Botaka polished off the win with a marker as well.

“I didn’t count the days, but it’s been a very long time since we last won and the feeling is a good one and enjoyable,” Hodeida said. “I’m happy that the guys did the job and showed maturity and desire, but with all the joy, we have a tough game on Saturday against Sakhnin. We’ll be happy now, but the league is still very long and we need to stay on track. We knew we were going into a tough season.”

“There are games like this where you make mistakes,” Kiryat Shemona bench boss Shay Barda began. “It’s part of the game and II have to take responsibility for the things that didn’t work out well in decision-making and we will learn from that too.”

Maccabi Petach Tikva and Hapoel Hadera played to a goalless draw as each team took home a point for their efforts.

Hadera captain Menashe Zalka summed up the match, “It looked and felt like a bottom-of-the-table battle and that’s exactly what it was. We knew it would be somewhat of a one goal game that would come from a set piece or a critical mistake. In the first half we were superior and didn’t score and in the second half it changed. That explains where we are.”

Petach Tikva Head Coach Tamir Luzon said, “We didn’t start the game well in terms of the attitude and energy we came with. At the end of the day for a team like ours it’s all about the attitude and that’s what I told the players at halftime. In the second half they woke up. We created some chances and it’s a shame the ball didn’t go in.”