Beersheba blanks Mac TA Hap Haifa goes top K8 edges Nof Hagalil

• Author: JOSHUA HALICKMAN
• Published date: 26 September 2021
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Danilo Asprilla opened the scoring early as he nodded home a Helder Lopes cross with authority for a 1-0 Beersheba lead in the fifth minute. Ramzi Safuri doubled the advantage in the second half with a scorcher from outside of the box that beat Maccabi 'keeper Daniel Peretz to secure the three points.

"We have a lot of potential and we do have a number of new players," said Hapoel Beersheba coach Roni Levy. "Some of the players still need to get into proper shape but we are a very strong team. I am very confident in the players and we need to get a win streak going and play well on a consistent basis."

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Maccabi coach Patrick van Leeuwen noted his side's lackluster start to the contest.

"We didn't pay attention in the first minutes and we needed to be more aggressive," said van Leeuwen. "At halftime we thought we could get back into the game and we created chances in the second half and then gave up a goal and the game was done."

Elsewhere, Hapoel Haifa blanked Hapoel Tel Aviv 2-0 as the Carmel Reds moved to the top of the league table.

Alon Turgeman continued his hot start as he took an Alen Ozbolt pass and put it behind Ernestas Setkus to give the Elisha Levy's squad a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute.

After helping out on the first goal, Ozbolt scored one as well in the 73rd minute for his third of the season to help his squad secure the three points.

"I believe that we have a reason to smile," Levy said after the game. "We won in what was our first big test at a stadium like this against a terrific team like Hapoel Tel Aviv with a lot of fans. We put on a show in an intensive game in which the better team took the victory. We came into the game well prepared and this was a very important win."

Turgeman also reflected on the win.

"I am having a good time right now and I came into the season in great shape. I am happy that I was able to help the club and I hope that this can continue every week."

Tel Aviv assistant coach Saleem Tuama explained that while his side controlled the possession, it couldn't capitalize when it mattered.

"We didn't start the game well and we knew that Hapoel Haifa would come in to play a tactical game," said Tuama. "They went on counter-attacks with was our downfall as we controlled the game for the most part."

Meanwhile, Ironi Kiryat Shmona slipped by Hapoel Nof Hagalil 1-0 in the northern capital...