The Reds extended the gap from second place to four points, with goals by Masika and Talmi
The youth team visited Hapoel Rishon LeZion in Round 16 of the Youth Premier League.
In the 25th minute, Hapoel took the lead. Elay Mori sent a long ball to Or Masika, who got ahead of the center-back and finished nicely past the goalkeeper. For the striker, this was his eighth goal of the season and the fourth consecutive match in which he has scored. Three minutes later, Rishon equalized, and the half ended 1:1.
Ten minutes into the second half, Mkay Benbenisty broke down the right flank and was fouled in the box. Ron Talmi took the penalty, struck it to the goalkeeper’s right corner, and restored the lead with his fourth goal of the season. Yishai Brosh was sent off in the 81st minute after receiving a second yellow card, leaving Hapoel with ten men until the end, but the team managed to hold on for a 2–1 final score.
Shahar Weisinger’s side consolidated their position at the top of the table with 37 points from a possible 48, four points clear of second-placed Maccabi Haifa. Next week the team will turn its focus to the State Cup, hosting Hapoel Hod HaSharon in the fourth round, before returning to league action in two weeks, when they will host Hapoel Petah Tikva.
Hapoel lineup: Yanal Bazadog, Yarin Shyovitz, Guy Aligolashvili, Giorgi Koperva, Elay Mori (Elad Ben Shimon, 77’), Itamar Chosid, Yishai Brosh, Mkay Benbenisty, (Shahar Nahum, 60’), Ben Zaid (Alon Moskovitz, 46’), Ron Talmi (Idan Kaplener, 77’) and Or Masika (Omri Levi, 65’).
