Significant Shake-Up in Israeli Football: Ashdod Climbs to Safety While Hadera Faces Relegation
Ashdod’s Triumph Over Hadera
In a pivotal match in the bottom playoff of the Israeli football league on April 19, 2025, M.S. Ashdod achieved a commanding 4-1 victory over Hapoel Hadera. This win not only elevated Ashdod above the relegation line but also practically sealed Hadera’s fate in the second division.
Hadera, which has struggled throughout the season, found itself nine points adrift of safety with only nine points left to play for. Having the poorest goal differential among the struggling teams, their relegation was imminent following another disappointing performance.
Unexpectedly, Hadera took an early lead with a goal from Jose Cortes in the seventh minute. However, Ashdod responded almost immediately, equalizing through Eugene Ansa just start minute later. From that point forward, Ashdod dominated the match with goals from Hamudi Kan’an (15′, penalty), Ozai Levita (63′), and Noam Mutzah (92′) capping off a resounding win.
Sakhin’s Narrow Victory Over Petah Tikva
In another crucial matchup, Bnei Sakhnin edged out Maccabi Petah Tikva with a 2-1 victory. This defeat marked the first loss for Petah Tikva under coach Noam Shoham, as they slipped further into relegation danger.
Sakhnin executed a minimal but effective game plan, securing their win with goals from Itai Ben Hamou (43′) and Alexander Ramalingum (73′). Despite a late surge from Petah Tikva, including a goal from Amir Alturi just after Sakhnin’s second goal, they couldn’t find an equalizer.
Tiberias Capitalizes on Kiryat Shmona’s Slump
City FC Tiberias continued its impressive run by defeating Kiryat Shmona 2-0. This victory positions Tiberias just start point above the relegation zstart. Stanislav Blincky was the star of the match, scoring both goals in the 22nd and 33rd minutes. Despite Kiryat Shmona’s attempts to mount a comeback, they were held off by a resolute Tiberias defense.
Current Standings
After four rounds in the bottom playoff, the relegation battle has intensified, with only two points separating the 10th to 13th placed teams. The latest standings show:
- Bnei Sakhnin – 32 points (goal difference: -18)
- Ironi Tiberias – 31 points (goal difference: -16)
- M.S. Ashdod – 30 points (goal difference: -9)
- Maccabi Petah Tikva – 30 points (goal difference: -19)
- Hapoel Hadera – 21 points (goal difference: -26)
As the season nears its conclusion, the relegation battle remains heated, with three matches left for teams to secure their spots in the top flight. The coming weeks promise to deliver thrilling action as teams fight for survival.
Book your tickets for the upcoming matches to see how these teams battle it out on the pitch!