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Beitar Jerusalem delivered one of their most emotional performances of the season on Saturday night, defeating Maccabi Netanya 4-2 at a charged Teddy Stadium. The evening began with a powerful tribute to former hostage Rom Braslavski, whose presence electrified more than 30,000 fans.
Braslavski moved the crowd to tears with a brief but stirring address, ending with the defiant declaration, “Am Yisrael Chai!” Beitar immediately fed off the atmosphere, striking early when Yarden Cohen converted a precise cutback from Dor Micha. Although Netanya created several promising moments, the hosts carried a deserved 1-0 lead into halftime.
Shortly after the restart, Netanya equalized through Aziz Ouattara, who hammered a stunning shot into the top corner. But Beitar responded instantly, this time with Cohen turning provider for Johnbosco Kalu, who guided in the 2-1 goal. Their momentum grew further when Ouattara received a second yellow card, leaving Netanya to finish the match with ten men.
Beitar’s pressure soon produced a third goal, though in unusual fashion, as Denis Kulikov headed the ball into his own net. Bassam Zaroura reduced the deficit with a composed finish, temporarily unsettling the home crowd, but Kalu’s second goal — a cool strike from the top of the box — sealed the 4-2 win.
“We knew this wouldn’t be easy,” Beitar coach Barak Itzhaki said afterward. “Netanya is dangerous on the counter, and we felt that, but this is an important win and a big three points.”
Netanya coach Yossi Abukasis expressed frustration with his squad’s missed opportunities. “The first half was one of our best this season,” he said. “We did everything right except finish, and the red card changed our whole approach.”
The most dramatic storyline of the weekend came in Ashdod, where Maccabi Tel Aviv secured a 2-2 draw under extraordinary circumstances. Head coach Zarko Lazetic and his staff were absent due to severe late-night harassment by fans outside his home. In his place, youth coach Dan Roman assumed control on the touchline.
Ashdod struck first through Jean Florent Batoum, before substitute Ido Shachar equalized with a brilliant free kick. Ibrahim Diakité’s 90th-minute header seemed to hand Ashdod the win as torrential rain pounded the pitch, but Maccabi fought back once more. Deep into stoppage time, Sayed Abu Farhi curled in a stunning equalizer to salvage the draw.
“We’re disappointed because we felt we deserved more,” Roman said. “But I’m proud of the character the players showed to equalize twice.”
Ashdod coach Haim Silvas credited his players’ resilience. “Maccabi pushed us deep in the second half,” he noted. “We focused on transitions and set pieces, and we scored from them.”
Meanwhile, Lazetic’s future at Maccabi Tel Aviv remains uncertain. Despite efforts to convince him to stay — including additional security and arrangements for his family — the Serbian coach remains distressed and intent on leaving.
The club has yet to publicly condemn the incidents that triggered the crisis, leaving many within the organization puzzled. Elsewhere, Hapoel Beersheba triumphed 4-3 over Hapoel Haifa in one of the wildest matches of the round.
Dan Bitton delivered a sensational hat-trick, even as his side played the final minutes with ten men. Goals from Rotem Hatuel and Javon East brought Haifa back into contention, but Beersheba held firm.
“This is the type of match a coach isn’t thrilled about,” said Beersheba coach Ron Kozuk. “But I’m happy everything came together near the goal.”
Hapoel Tel Aviv also celebrated a confident 2-0 win over Bnei Sakhnin, powered by a sublime free kick from Stav Turiel and a composed finish from Loizos Loizou. At Sammy Ofer, Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Petah Tikva battled to a 0-0 draw despite Haifa playing more than half the match with ten men.
In other action, Hapoel Jerusalem finally claimed their first win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Ironi Kiryat Shmona, and Ironi Tiberias defeated Maccabi Bnei Reineh 3-1 behind a brace from Itamar Shviro.
The weekend delivered emotional highs, internal turmoil, and intense football — a snapshot of a Premier League season already rich with drama.