Three rounds to the end of the season and the decision is already around the corner. The 28th round in League A South began on the eve of Passover with two games and was completed today (Friday) in full. Maccabi Herzliya missed an opportunity to advance to the National League when they lost to Hapoel Herzliya in a draw, Hapoel Kfar Shalem narrowed the gap to four points with 1:2 over Maccabi Shaariim, Modi’in and Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam won, and Ashdod and Kfar Kasem lost to a draw.
Maccabi Herzliya – Hapoel Herzliya 0:0
The leader was unable to maintain the six-point gap from Kfar Shalem after no decision was reached in the derby, as in the first round. As mentioned, Ido Axbard did not find the back of the net today and he has 2 more games to go to surpass Yossi Essaig’s record from the 2017/18 season (30 league goals). Hapoel Herzliya was not inferior to its urban rival.
Hapoel Kfar Shalem – Maccabi Shaareim 1:2
Noam Shoham’s apprentices do not give up and postponed the decision for at least one round. Ofek Ovadia and Hai Buzgalo scored to the credit of an entire village, Ami Shapira balanced the score temporarily, but it was not enough for the goals which looks, how to say it carefully, very bad. Perhaps the weakest team among the bottom three (alongside Bnei Eilat and Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam) in recent times. Kfar Shalem has yet to meet Shimshon Tel Aviv and Dimona Sports Club. Shaariim has yet to meet Maccabi Ironi Ashdod, which has not yet guaranteed a stay, and Maccabi Herzliya in the finals.
Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam – Ironi Kaseifa 0:2
A rare goal by Idan Weizman to connections by Mor Xosus and another goal by the substitute Ben Amsalem gave Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam another week of belief in staying because Shaariim and Eilat lost. Kasaifa, who has already lost interest in the league, will try to recover for the next season, which is unclear as to how she will open it at all in light of the financial problems. Six points separate the winners from the goals in the 14th place leading to the test matches.
Maccabi Ashdod City – Shimshon Kfar Kasem 1:1
The southerners missed an opportunity to stay in the league definitively and next week they will meet Maccabi Shaariim for a heated bottom battle. Ashdod took the lead after three minutes with a goal by Dor Moskovich and in the second half Yoav Liberos, who found an opening in the Ashdod square, made it 1:1. Kfar Kasem remained in the league.
Ironi Modi’in – Bnei Eilat 0:2
The southern team suffered 19 losses this season – the most in the league. Eli Chen scored a double and secured the stay. Now Eilat and Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam share the last place with both 21 points, just two points from Maccabi Sha’arim.
Hapoel Marmorak – M.K. Jeremiah Holon 1:4
Another big victory for Victor Ganish’s team. The Reds from Rehovot are expected to finish in seventh place after an upheaval over the club and the wave of releases around January. There is no doubt that since Viktor Ganish arrived at the club, he has been doing a good and quiet job with the existing staff at his disposal. Ido Benvanisti (double), Ron Ashkenazi and Harel Ben Avi scored for Marmorak, Maor Asor Zimek was disallowed by a penalty. Holon remained in the league.
Hapoel Jordan Valley – Maccabi Yavne 0:2
Lenny Taib (58) and Haim Yosef (75) determined the result of the game that led Hanan Azoulai and his apprentices to establish themselves among the starting five that earns a ticket to the top playoffs at the end of the season. Yavne will have to wake up in order to enter the top playoffs and no – it will be a very big disappointment. Entering the top playoffs in terms of the Jordan Valley will be a great achievement.
tax. Dimona – Samson Paztal Tel Aviv 1:2
Dimona and Roman Zulu with 47 points this season. An achievement for the club that collects the highest amount of points since the club reached the First League. If Dimona keeps up the momentum, it is expected to play in the top playoffs this year. Guy Refali put Shimshon Tel Aviv in the lead in the 64th minute, Gil Haddad (77) and Imran Alkarinawi (84, penalty) reversed the result and left the points at home.