Maccabi Kiryat Gat beat Hapoel Acre 2-0 in the Liga Leumit on Tuesday evening. The result came in the opening fixture of the new season at Hapoel's ground.
And here's the thing about how it finished — Maccabi took the lead just before half-time. P. Emmanuel scored in the 45th minute, giving his side something to hold onto. Hapoel pushed forward after the break but could not find a way back into the game.
G. Dahan made it two in the 67th minute, and there is no value left at that number when you are chasing a game. Hapoel had possession, they had the attacks, but the chances simply did not come off. To be fair, Maccabi were clinical when it mattered.
The statistics tell part of the story. Hapoel dominated possession at 58 per cent and registered 96 attacks, but only one shot hit the target. Maccabi had 42 per cent of the ball and 103 attacks, yet they managed six shots on goal. By then the result was clear enough.
Hapoel sit bottom of the table with zero points from three games and three defeats. Maccabi occupy eighth place with four points after one win, one draw and one loss. This result does not change the standings dramatically, but it extends a run Hapoel have not won since May.