There is only one more rematch left between Betar Jerusalem and Bnei Yehuda to be held tomorrow, but after tonight (Wednesday) and the victory of Kiryat Shmona 1: 2 Maccabi Petah Tikva can already, almost, be said – there are two more rounds left to end the regular league and the battle for promotion to the first six is hotter than ever.
There are already three teams that have secured their place in the top playoffs and they are Maccabi Tel Aviv leading with 54 points, Maccabi Haifa the second with 53 and Ashdod Sports Club which has accumulated 39 points that will surely be enough to get the ticket. Now there is one last battle left between six clubs, Maccabi Petah Tikva, Urbani Kash, Maccabi Netanya, Hapoel B’Shlosha, Hapoel Haifa and Beitar Jerusalem.
Maccabi Petah Tikva – 36 points
What’s left: Hapoel Beer Sheva (home) and Bnei Sakhnin (outside).
On paper, Guy Luzon’s gang has the best chances of qualifying. Winning one of the two remaining games will ensure her, with even one point likely to suffice if the rest of her rivals’ results serve her faithfully.
Kiryat Shmona – 35 points
What’s left: Maccabi Tel Aviv (home) and Hapoel Kfar Saba (away).
Kobi Refuah’s trainees have a good chance after the victory over Maccabi Petah Tikva, although the two games they have left should light a red light in Kiryat – on the one hand, Patrick van Leven’s leader will want to continue its streak and in the last round the Greens from Sharon need points to survive in the league. A single victory may not be enough for the Northerners in some constellation, but may in many chances secure the ascent.
Maccabi Netanya – 34 points
What’s left: Hapoel Hadera (home) and Maccabi Haifa (away).
The Diamonds have a relatively comfortable game on paper that they must win against Hadera, knowing that in the closing round they will have a much harder time against Barak Bachar’s players who are interested in the title. Here, too, a single victory over Hadera will not guarantee immigration, but may do the job. If Netanya does not score points at all in the remaining two games, they will have to hope that Hapoel BS will not score a single point and that Beitar and Hapoel Haifa will stumble.
Hapoel Beer Sheva – 33 points
What’s left: Maccabi Petah Tikva (outside) and Bnei Yehuda (home).
Roni Levy’s team is not independent and comes to the final two rounds in an inferior position, with the eve of the games in seventh place. Despite the shortcomings of Joshua, Hatem Abdel Hamid and other players, the Reds must not stumble otherwise they will be in the bottom playoffs. It starts with a mandatory game against a direct competitor – the Malabes and continues with a spicy battle against ex Yossi Aboksis and the Goldens.
Hapoel Haifa – 29 points
What’s left: MS Ashdod (home) and Hapoel Hadera (outside).
The red-blacks from Carmel have the least chance of qualifying and they need a real miracle to do that. Of course, Haim Sylves’ players will have to win the two games they have left and hope for two losses for Hapoel B’Shlosha, Maccabi Netanya and three losses for Betar Jerusalem.
Betar Jerusalem – 28 points
What’s left: Bnei Yehuda (home), Hapoel Kfar Saba (home) and MS Ashdod (outside).
Moshe Hogg’s club still has a chance to qualify for the playoffs and it should be remembered – unlike all the other candidates, it has three more games. A victory over the Goldens tomorrow will jump the Jerusalemites to eighth place, while two more victories against Kfar Saba and Ashdod in a loss arrangement of BS, Netanya and KS will guarantee the team from the capital six places.
