Beitar Jerusalem claimed a narrow victory over Bnei Sakhnin, winning 1-0 in the third round of the Ligat ha-Аль on Monday evening. The result leaves both sides winless after two matches, though the visitors took something positive from a performance that finally produced a reward.
Eugene Ansah broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute, and the goal proved decisive. The hosts had a chance to level but saw a penalty appeal against Omer Atzili cancelled by VAR in the 72nd minute. That moment turned the game, and by then Beitar were content to see it out.
Beitar dominated possession at 60 per cent and created far more. They registered 1.78 expected goals against Bnei Sakhnin's 0.61, and while they took seven shots on target to the hosts' four, they could only convert once. The statistics show Beitar kept knocking on the door, but it took a single moment to separate them.
Bnei Sakhnin struggled to threaten. They managed only one big chance and had 31 per cent of their shots on target, which is not enough when you are chasing a game. The hosts had more attempts from outside the box but lacked penetration in the final third.
The result means Beitar move off the bottom of the table on goal difference, while Bnei Sakhnin remain in 11th place. Both sides have played two matches and collected zero points, but the visitors finally closed the game out after several disappointing displays.
