Hapoel Kiryat Shmona and Ashdod SC continued their impressive starts to the new league season, both recording 3-1 road victories in the second round of games.
Kiryat Shmona put the disappointment of Champions League elimination behind it with victory over Maccabi Haifa at Kiryat Eliezer. South African striker Dino Ndlovu gave the home team the lead after 19 minutes of play, only for the reigning Israeli champion to strike back through Macedonian midfielder Darko Tasevski's first goal for the club. Hungarian forward Laszlo Lencse put Kiryat Shmona ahead from the penalty spot in the 75th minute and, nine minutes from time, Ahmed Abed put the result beyond doubt.
Ashdod scored all of its goals - one from David Revivo and a brace from Bulgarian striker Dimitar Makriev - in the first half against Bnei Sakhnin.
In yesterday's other games, Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Be'er Sheva drew 1-1, Bnei Yehuda beat Hapoel Ramat Gan 1-0 and Ramat Hasharon trounced Hapoel Acre 3-0.
In tonight's game, Hapoel Tel Aviv faces Hapoel Haifa, and in the final game of the round tomorrow, Maccabi Netanya hosts Maccabi Tel Aviv.
