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Hapoel Beersheba delivered a resounding 4-0 victory over Ironi Tiberias in Israel Premier League action, with Amir Ganah scoring a brace to secure the win.
The emphatic triumph coincided with the emotional return of Iair Horn, one of the club’s most passionate supporters, who had been held hostage.
Beersheba wasted no time in taking the lead as Kings Kangwa struck in the third minute, setting the tone for Ron Kozuk’s squad.
Shortly before halftime, Helder Lopes set up Ganah, who doubled the lead, giving Beersheba a commanding 2-0 advantage at the break.
The Southern Reds continued their onslaught early in the second half, with Dan Bitton assisting Ganah for his second goal in the 48th minute before Bitton himself sealed the game with a goal in the 58th minute.
Following the match, Beersheba’s head coach, Ron Kozuk, dedicated the victory to Horn and expressed hope for the return of all remaining hostages.
“Iair, this victory is for you! Enjoy it, get stronger, and God willing, we will see you here with us,” Kozuk said. “These things are more important than football; it is our moral obligation to help bring them home.”
Elsewhere in the league, Hapoel Haifa edged Beitar Jerusalem 3-2 in a dramatic encounter. The Carmel Reds surged to a 3-0 lead, with Theimoko Diarra scoring in the 14th minute and assisting Dor Hugi for a second goal 15 minutes later.
Hugi then converted a penalty to further extend the lead before Beitar mounted a comeback. Patrick Twumasi and Omer Atzily’s penalty reduced the deficit, but Haifa held on for the win.
Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Jerusalem played to an electrifying 3-3 draw at Sammy Ofer Stadium. Eylon Almog’s early brace gave Hapoel a 2-0 lead, but Maccabi responded with goals from Dia Saba and Lior Refaelov. Ibeh Ransom netted a late goal for Hapoel, only for Refaelov to equalize in the 89th minute.
Meanwhile, Maccabi Tel Aviv secured a 3-1 victory over Bnei Sakhnin despite playing with ten men. Weslley Patati’s brace propelled the yellow-and-blue to a hard-fought win.
Idan Machmias saw red in the first half, but Patati struck in the 61st minute to break the deadlock. Sakhnin equalized through Abdalla Halaihal, but Patati restored the lead before Dor Turgeman’s late goal sealed the three points.
Ironi Kiryat Shmona blanked Hapoel Hadera 2-0 after Menashe Zalka’s red card left Hadera with ten men. Lidor Cohen and Iyad Habshi capitalized on the advantage to ensure victory for Kiryat Shmona.
Ashdod SC cruised past Maccabi Bnei Reineh 4-1, with Muhammed Knaan starring with two goals and two assists. Meanwhile, Maccabi Netanya narrowly defeated Maccabi Petah Tikva 1-0, thanks to Igor Zlatanovich’s decisive first-half strike.
With the league action intensifying, teams are beginning to solidify their standings as they push toward the season’s climax, with Beersheba’s dominant performance standing out as a highlight of the weekend’s fixtures.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members