Maccabi Bnei Reineh secured a valuable 2-1 away victory over Hapoel Kfar Saba in the Israel Leumit League, using a disciplined second-half display to turn a tight contest in their favour. The result gives Reineh three important points in the promotion race and leaves Kfar Saba frustrated after a home performance that promised more than it delivered.

Match overview

Played at the Levita Stadium, the match had the feel of a classic Leumit League encounter: compact lines, limited space in midfield and chances that had to be earned rather than inherited. Hapoel Kfar Saba started with more of the ball and tried to impose themselves through patient build-up, while Maccabi Bnei Reineh sat in a well-organised block and looked to strike in transition.

The home side drew first blood when Itay Ben-Shalom found space inside the penalty area and finished calmly after a sustained spell of pressure. Kfar Saba’s lead gave the home crowd energy, but Reineh responded well rather than folding. Dor Hadad levelled before half-time with a low effort from the edge of the box, and the visitors grew in confidence after the interval.

The decisive moment arrived in the 76th minute, when substitute Amit Mizrahi latched onto a loose ball following a half-cleared corner and drove a composed finish past the Kfar Saba goalkeeper. From there, Reineh managed the game intelligently, slowing the tempo and defending their box with real concentration.

Key moments

• 18th minute: Hapoel Kfar Saba take the lead through Itay Ben-Shalom after a patient attacking move down the right.
• 42nd minute: Maccabi Bnei Reineh equalise through Dor Hadad, whose low strike beats the goalkeeper from just outside the area.
• 54th minute: Kfar Saba almost restore their advantage, but a close-range header is cleared off the line.
• 76th minute: Amit Mizrahi scores the winner for Reineh after a corner is only partially cleared.
• 88th minute: Reineh goalkeeper Yaniv Cohen makes a strong save to deny Kfar Saba a late equaliser.

Tactical story

Hapoel Kfar Saba’s approach was built around possession and width. Their full-backs pushed high, the midfield tried to circulate the ball quickly and Ben-Shalom repeatedly dropped into pockets to link play. For long stretches, that worked well enough to keep Reineh pinned back, but it also left space behind the defensive line when moves broke down.

Maccabi Bnei Reineh were happy to concede territory without conceding clear chances. Their midfield two protected the centre-backs, the wide players tracked back diligently and the front line stayed ready to counter. The winning goal came from exactly the kind of set-piece pressure that had been building throughout the second half. Reineh’s substitutions also made a difference: Mizrahi’s energy and movement gave Kfar Saba’s tired defenders a new problem to solve.

Standout players

Yaniv Cohen was excellent in the Reineh goal, particularly with his late save that preserved the three points. Dor Hadad’s equaliser changed the mood of the match, while Amit Mizrahi delivered the decisive contribution from the bench. For Kfar Saba, Ben-Shalom was the most dangerous attacker, linking play intelligently and giving the Reineh back line a difficult evening.

What the result means

The win strengthens Maccabi Bnei Reineh’s position in the upper half of the Leumit League standings and keeps them firmly in the conversation for the promotion play-off places. For Hapoel Kfar Saba, it is a missed opportunity to build momentum at home. In a division where points are often separated by fine margins, the difference between a draw and a defeat can feel significant by the end of the season.