Sports Shorts

Moshe Ohayon rescues points for Ashdod

Amir Lavi hit a cross to Moshe Ohayon, who headed in the winning goal yesterday five minutes into extra time as Ashdod beat Israeli soccer's bottom-feeder Ahi Nazareth 2-1. The win lifted Ashdod back into fifth place in the Premier League. Ironically, Ashdod fans called on coach Yossi Mizrahi to bring in a substitution for Ohayon during the second half, as they feared having to settle for a tie with last-place Nazareth. Yaniv Luzon gave Nazareth the lead 1-0 in the 33rd minute, but Idan Sadeh equalized just four minutes later. (Moshe Boker)

Haifa to let Katan rest for Champions match

Aware that its Champions League soccer match this week against Bordeaux is meaningless, Maccabi Haifa decided to play it safe this week. The team will let Yaniv Katan rest up, so that his injured back can recover. Meanwhile, Peter Masilela and John Culma are expected to rejoin the team after both being sick last weekend. Bordeaux's squad arrived in Israel this week with a relatively young lineup, and devoid of any of it stars. Only 16 players arrived from France, including some who haven't made even a single appearance in the Champions League this season. (Moshe Harush and Uzi Dann)

Late Ruiz winner keeps Twente on top

Bryan Ruiz headed home a late winner to keep Twente Enschede on top of the Dutch soccer league yesterday, with a 4-3 victory over 10-man NEC Nijmegen. Twente remains at the top with 44 points after 16 matches, two more then PSV Eindhoven - who beat bottom side RKC Waalwijk 2-0. John Goossens opened the scoring for Nijmegen after 15 minutes, but goals from Kenneth Perez, Blaise Nkufo and Miroslav Stoch between the 18th and 31st minutes put Twente ahead. Belgian Bjorn Vleminckx scored two goals in the last four minutes before the interval to bring NEC level, but Ruiz sealed Twente's 11th straight league win with a close-range header. (Reuters)