Hapoel Tel Aviv defeated Hapoel Jerusalem 3-1 as Stav Turiel scored a first half brace to set the tone and help the reds take the 3-points and the win. After close to a full half of goalless football, Hapoel Tel Aviv broke the ice and grabbed the lead on a Turiel penalty after Loizos Loizou was pulled down in the box.

Turiel then doubled the advantage when Marcus Coco’s thrown in was headed by Andrian Kraev right to Turiel who in turn nodded the ball into the Jerusalem goal for a 2-0 advantage at the break. Marko Rakonjac cut the lead when he pounded the ball past Asaf Tzur but Emmanuel Boateng scored his first for the hosts to add an insurance marker and wrap up the win.

Hapoel Tel Aviv Head Coach Elyaniv Barda summed up the game, “We could have decided the match earlier as we scored two goals that opened up the game. We controlled it, moved the ball around, weren’t patient enough and played long balls too early and still we scored two beautiful goals. In the second half we conceded from a set piece to make it 2–1, which put us under a bit of pressure, but with the crowd pushing us on, Friday afternoon, 25,000 fans, that’s the football experience. It’s a great pleasure and a huge privilege to coach here.”

Hapoel Jerusalem bench boss Ziv Arie said, “The game was going in the direction we wanted, but we conceded two quick goals that disrupted it. We managed to come back, but it’s a loss and we move on. We didn’t create too many chances. We’ll move on to the next match.”

The Man of the Match Stav Turiel added, “I missed playing so much. I’m very happy to be back in the starting lineup and to have helped the team win, I really missed it. It wasn’t easy being on the sidelines, but the most important thing is that we won the derby. I told everyone I’m proud of them. That’s behind us and now we’re all focused on continuing together. We’re very happy. We want to score and win games as early as possible. Jerusalem pulled one back and created some pressure, but we managed to win. The fans? Crazy, crazy, crazy. What’s happening at this club is crazy — the fans, the player chants, the fact that they arrive early. We feel at home everywhere. No one is happier than us to give back to them.”