Maccabi Netanya claimed a 2-0 victory over Hapoel Petah-Tikva in the fourth round of the Toto Cup Ligat Al on Wednesday evening. The away side took control early and held firm despite a sustained period of pressure from the hosts at their home ground.
D. Hugi opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a clinical finish that settled Hapoel's nerves. Matheus Davo doubled the advantage in the 78th minute, and by then Maccabi had already switched their approach to survive the final stretch. Substitutions came thick and fast after that — Cle and I. Tshibangu on for Hapoel in the 57th, Rivollier and Abuhazira for the hosts at 68, and Morozov withdrawn in the 80th.
The statistics told a different story. Hapoel registered 229 attacks against 143 for Maccabi and held 53 per cent possession, yet their five shots on target produced just one result. Maccabi were more efficient with four shots on target and two goals, while Hapoel's eight off-target efforts went begging. The away side also won the corner battle 6-1.
The result moves Maccabi into a stronger position in the group standings, while Hapoel's recent form — two losses in their last three matches — raises questions about their consistency in this competition.