Soccer / Toto Cup Final / Beitar J'lem takes first silverware

Beitar Jerusalem put its troubles on and off the field behind it last night for once, winning the Toto Cup with a 1-0 victory over Hapoel Ra'anana of the second-tier national League, in front of a paltry 5,500 fans at the Ramat Gan stadium.

The first half was a balanced affair in the blustery, cold conditions. Both sides created scoring chances but neither took advantage.

Beitar came out fighting after the break, and in the 51st minute Amit Ben-Shushan exchanged passes with Avi Reikan to set up Idan Vered, who fired home from close range. The defending champions continued to press down on Ra'anana's goal, but could not add to their tally.

This was the fourth time Beitar has won the Toto Cup - the third most important competition in Israeli soccer - in as many years, but more critically for the cash-strapped club, it brought NIS 1.1 million into its coffers.