Maccabi dominates Hapoel in Tel Aviv derby

• Author: JOSHUA HALICKMAN
• Published date: 29 December 2020
• Date: 29 December 2020
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

After a goalless first half, the floodgates opened for interim coach Patrick van Leeuwen, who took over the club last week when Giorgos Donis and his staff were relieved of their duties. Dor Peretz broke the deadlock by stabbing home a corner kick that was redirected by Eitan Tibi in the 61st minute and just a minute later Aleksandar Pesic scored into the far corner to give the yellow-and-blue a 2-0 lead.

Yonatan Cohen added insult to injury by crossing the ball to substitute Eylon Almog, who headed it home, while Cohen then found the back of the goal himself in stoppage time to wrap up the rout for Maccabi.

"We've been working on our passing game in order to find each other better," said van Leeuwen. "At halftime we went over some of the things I wanted the players to do and we scored four goals. We were much more organized and worked hard these past few days. Now we have to get ready for the next game."

Hapoel coach Nir Klinger reflected on the defeat.

"It was clear who the stronger team was going into the game. We were able to play tactically and attempted to go on counter attacks. Up until the 60th minute, we were able to hold off Maccabi but then they scored off of the set piece and that was the end of the game for us."

Meanwhile, Ashdod SC shocked Beitar Jerusalem 2-1 as Fahad Bayo scored a 93rd-minute winner to snatch the three points at Teddy Stadium in the capital.

Dean David scored into the left corner of the goal to give the port city squad an early 1-0 lead, but Ali Muhammad drew Beitar even in the 24th minute from inside the box. However, Bayo beat his defender and put the ball by 'keeper Itamar Nitzan in the area deep into injury time to take the win.

"Beitar was the better team and this wasn't how I wanted the squad to play, but we ended up taking the points," said Ashdod coach Ran Ben Shimon. "We haven't had enough time to just train as a team with a number of new players, but I'm proud we are in third place and we are continuing to improve."

Beitar's co-coach Shay Barda summed up the game in dismay.

"We were naïve. We were thinking about how we could score and win but we weren't focused enough. That's soccer and it's very disappointing. We controlled the game, but that's not how you take points."

Elsewhere, Hapoel Beersheba blanked Bnei Yehuda 2-0 on a pair of second-half goals to take the win.

After a scoreless first half, Mariano Bareiro headed home the first goal in the 70th minute while Josue followed up with the insurance marker as he...