National League kicks off: Bnei Yehuda wins, Ashdod loses

The National League kicked off this evening with a full round, highlighted by a meeting between two promotion candidates: Maccabi Bnei Reineh, which hosted Bnei Yehuda and was defeated 4:1. MS Ashdod, which still hopes to replace Ironi Tiberias in the Premier League, was hosted by Hapoel Afula and disappointed with a 2:0 loss.

Maccabi Bnei Reineh - Bnei Yehuda 4:1

After impressing in the Toto Cup and reaching the final, Bnei Yehuda started the league on the right foot. Although they fell behind early to a goal by Emil Kanaani, they managed to equalize, and in the second half, they exploded against the team relegated from the Premier League, with a brace from Stav Nachmani and goals from Sagi Dror and Guy Sevilia. This is a statement of intent from the 'Oranges', who dream of escaping the National League after six years. Reineh, which struggled in the Toto Cup, does not look ready for promotion battles at this stage.

Minute 5: Goal! Kanaani scored with a beautiful chip to put Reineh up 1:0.
Minute 33: Goal! Bnei Yehuda returned to the game with a powerful strike from Stav Nachmani — 1:1.
Minute 48: Goal! Sagi Dror completed the turnaround to make it 1:2 for Bnei Yehuda.
Minute 53: Goal! Guy Sevilia extended the lead to 1:3.
Minute 59: Goal! Stav Nachmani scored his second, making it 1:4.

Hapoel Afula - MS Ashdod 0:2

After conceding 6:0 to Bnei Yehuda in the Toto Cup semi-final, MS Ashdod continued to disappoint. Afula took the lead as early as the second minute with a goal from Ahmad Khalaila. The visitors failed to find their rhythm and eventually conceded a second from Raz Twizer (76).

Other results:

Ironi Modiin - Maccabi Herzliya 2:0: Goals from Ansumana Sanyang (35) and Emmanuel Afa (89) secured the win.
Hapoel Kfar Shalem - MS Kafr Qasim 0:2: A successful start for Noam Shoham's side with goals from Abbas Sapilo (60) and Amit Nimni (72).
Hapoel Rishon LeZion - Hapoel Kfar Saba 0:2: The 'Oranges' claimed revenge with goals from Eligijus Jankauskas (56) and Ezekiel Henty (62).
Maccabi Jaffa - MS Kiryat Yam 6:2: In a high-scoring match, Kiryat Yam dominated with goals from Sekou Sylla, Ashley Cupido (brace), Liav Perada, Gilad Avramov, and Itay Buganim.
Hapoel Acre - Maccabi Kiryat Gat 2:0: The visitors started with three points thanks to goals from Paul Emmanuel (45) and Guy Dahan (67).
Hapoel Ra'anana - Maccabi Ahi Nazareth 0:2: Peter Michael (2) and Yakubu (28) secured the victory for the visitors.