Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Kiryat Shemona 2-1 as Nemanja Stojic bagged a second half brace to secure the 3-points and the win. After a goalless first half, Stojic headed home a Gaby Kanichowsky corner kick to give Zarko Lazetic’s team a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute, but Alfrdeo Stephens drew the northerners even roughly a quarter hour later by capitalizing in keeper Roie Mishpati’s poor effort. However, Stojic scored from in close to in the 74th minute to give Maccabi the lead for good as they collected the victory.

“It was a tough game,” Lazetic said. “In the first half, we played without passion and we didn’t create many chances. They prepared well, but in the second half, we completely dominated the game. The defense was exceptional. Sometimes mistakes are made that lead to goals. We tried not to concede.”

Kiryat Shemona coach Shai Barda spoke about the defeat, “I’m never happy when we lose, but there are reasons to be encouraged. We neutralized Maccabi in the first 20 minutes, we had half-chances and in the first few minutes we did it very well. I’m not happy with the result, but I’m definitely proud of the guys.”