Match Report
The points column showed no gap: 9 apiece, Hapoel Afula 5th and Hapoel Ra'anana 2nd. Hapoel Afula's recent output outran their position: 1st on form over five rounds, 5th in the table. Against a league average of 1.64 goals per team per game, Hapoel Afula ran at 1.5 scored and 0.75 conceded, Hapoel Ra'anana at 3.25 and 1.5.
Three consecutive wins preceded this game for Hapoel Ra'anana.
The head-to-head ledger counts 12 games: 2 Hapoel Afula wins, 6 for Hapoel Ra'anana, 4 draws, at 2.42 goals per meeting. Hosting has counted for little in this fixture — the home side has won only 25% of those meetings.
The referee was N. Arad, with 22 matches in our database and 0.7 yellows per game on average. Afula Illit Stadium staged the fixture, a ground that holds 3,000. Hapoel Afula led 3-0 at the break, and the second half added 2 goals for the 3-2 full-time score.
Goal scorers
Hapoel Afula: Ahmad Khalaila (8'), Eilon Elimelech (12'), Eilon Elimelech (18') · Hapoel Ra'anana: Peter Michael (76'), Peter Michael (85')
Key stats
Possession: Hapoel Afula 37% · Hapoel Ra'anana 63% · Total shots: 13-17 · On target: 7-8 · Corners: 3-5