Ashdod claimed a narrow 1:0 win against Maccabi Kabalo Yaffo on 24 August in the second round of the Liga Leumit regular season. N. Dabush netted in the 90th minute to break the deadlock and secure all three points for the hosts. The result moves Ashdod further clear of trouble while Maccabi Kabalo Yaffo remain winless after three matches.
The decisive moment arrived late, with Dabush finding the back of the net as the clock ticked over. By then the match had settled into a pattern of pressure from the home side, and the goal came as a reward for sustained attacking intent. To be fair, the visitors rarely threatened, and the final whistle brought relief rather than surprise.
Ashdod dominated possession at 66 per cent and registered 90 attacks compared with 60 for their opponents. They managed seven shots on target and nine off target, while Maccabi Kabalo Yaffo could muster only three shots on target and five off target. The home side also won seven corners to three, and received one yellow card against three for the visitors.
The win lifts Ashdod to sixth place on six points from three games, with two victories and one defeat. Maccabi Kabalo Yaffo sit 15th with zero points from three losses, their run of defeats stretching back to the opening round. The gap between the two sides now stands at six points, and the visitors have yet to find any rhythm in this campaign.
For Ashdod, the late goal proved decisive. They had controlled the tempo throughout and saw out the match without needing to chase the game. Maccabi Kabalo Yaffo changed shape at the break in search of an equaliser, but found no answer. And here's the thing — three losses in a row is enough to turn attention toward survival talks.