Ligat ha´Al wrap: Maccabi Tel Aviv hold one-point lead

Maccabi Tel Aviv lead city rivals Hapoel atop the Ligat ha’Al as the year draws to a close in Israel’s top flight.

Hapoel Tel Aviv, 13-time champions, led the standings until last week, when a 2-2 draw against bottom side Hapoel Haifa saw them leapfrogged by Maccabi.

Yossi Abukasis’ men missed a chance to return to the top on Saturday, losing 2-1 to another Tel Aviv side – Bnei Yehuda.

Hungarian striker Adam Hrepka broke the deadlock on 13 minutes and the hosts doubled their lead shortly after half-time through Sari Falach.

Eden Shrem grabbed a consolation goal for Hapoel in the 89th minute, but the loss keeps them a point behind Maccabi, who face Hapoel Haifa on Sunday.

Elsewhere, on Saturday, Maccabi Haifa extended their unbeaten run in the league to nine matches, with a 2-0 win at home to Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

Other winners included Ironi Kiryat Shmona, Bnei Sakhnin and Ironi Ramat HaSharon.