Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., May 21, 2008 Iyyar 16, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:33 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Soccer / Beitar Jerusalem vs. Maccabi Herzliya / Herzliya braces for tonight's crucial rematch with Beitar By Tomer Rothman Beitar Jerusalem will meet Maccabi Herzliya tonight for a rematch of their previous encounter, which was called off in the 86th minute after Beitar fans, anticipating a victory that would clinch the championship, burst onto the pitch to celebrate. The referee's decision to cease that match threw the Israel Football Association and numerous clubs into a legal battle over what disciplinary measures should be taken against Beitar and how they would affect its opponent's struggle against relegation. After much deliberation, which caused the league round to be deferred by a week, a formula was found by which the teams would play a rematch. Advertisement Since their last encounter, Beitar has gone on to win the championship, rendering tonight's match of little importance to the club. But for Maccabi Herzliya, the game remains crucial for its bid to stay in the Premier League next season. Despite the severity of its position, Herzliya has been playing bad soccer recently. Last week, it lost to Bnei Sakhnin 2-0. "Players in the last match simply shamed the club at a time when they were required to step up," Maccabi Herzliya chairman Ariel Shayman said. "We don't have to be relegated. We have a good base of players. If we are relegated, then the players are to blame. They got everything they wanted from me: money, excellent conditions. And everyone saw what they did with it. They should have thrown themselves at Bnei Sakhnin, but they didn't." Another cause for contention at Herzliya is its fans' abandonment of the club. Bnei Yehuda, the other club threatened with relegation, drew 7,000 fans to Bloomfield Stadium on Saturday, while Herzliya only attracted 300. Shayman again denied responsibility for the situation. "About 639 fans showed up for the match against Sakhnin," he said. "The club's marketing has not failed, I'm just building it slowly." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Fear of extinction The state of over 20 species of birds in Israel has worsened considerably. Taking advantage Jerusalem police probe possible gang rape of disabled woman.

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