24.8.2002,
Israel still playing the Toto cup in hope for better days. All eyes are on Maccabi Haifa because on Wednesday they play against Sturm Gratz in UEFA Champions League qualifying match, a step from history. Some people put the spot on the players who played in mid week match between Israel and Lithuania.

Zandberg scored for Israel but lost in Toto cup with Hapoel Petach Tikva

In top of group 1 stand Maccabi Haifa after an away win at Rishon Lezion. It started in the 18^th minute, when Katan pasted Komernitzki, passed to Pralija who scored, 0-1 Haifa. The second for Haifa was again with cooperation of Katan and Pralija. Katan was brought down in the box by Rishon's defender Zbialov in the 42^nd minute, Pralija scored from the spot, 2-0 to Haifa. Rishon were in the game with a wonderful goal by Shalev Menashe after he lifted the ball above Haifa's keeper, Awate. Haifa won 2-1 at the end. At the same group Hapoel Ranana surprised Hapoel Petach Tikva in Petach Tikva! Max opened the scoring in the 61^st minute for Ranana, while Kakon scored for Petach Tikva and Betzalel won it 2-1 for Ranana. Hapoel Haifa won 4-0 against Ahi Natzrat, Ofir(17), Shom(27), Haleli(32) finished the half with 3-0, Baisic in the 75^th minute end the scoring.

In group 2 Hapoel Tel Aviv saw Hapoel Haifa and done the same to Maccabi Natanya. Natanya look bad for the start of the season and played with to much young players, Tel Aviv used that to score 4 times. Afek who scored twice in mid week for Israel was the first to be in the score shit in the 42^nd minute. Balili scored the second in the 74^th minute and Tuama scored twice near the end. Elsewhere Kfar Kana won at Shonat HaTikva, BNYI Yehouda's home, 2-1. To Kfar Kana: Azolayi(25), Abas(69) to BNYI Yehouda: Hassan(43, Penal). Offal game took place between Natzrat Ilit and Kriat Gat, 0-0 it ended.

Group 3, Maccabi Tel Aviv marks the semi spot with a 2-0 win at Ramat Gan against Hapoel Ramat Gan. Kobi Mosa was Maccabi Tel Aviv's man of the match after first he passed to Torgeman who scored in the 62^nd minute. Afterwards Mosa found Baroch Dego that finished well and made it 2-0 in the 72^nd minute. Maccabi Tel Aviv didn’t play so well, 5 days before the match against Talin in UEFA cup. Maccabi Petach Tikva stole the top after a goalless draw in Tedi, Beitar Jerusalem home ground. Maccabi Petach Tikva is on top because they played one match more then Maccabi Tel Aviv. Maccabi Herzelia copied Maccabi Petach Tikva and also draw a goalless drew from Beni Sahnin.

In group 4 only one match took place due to unsettled payments of Hapoel Beer Sheva(against Hakoh) and Hapoel Jerusalem(against Kefar Saba). Ashdod is still on top despite a 3-3 drew against Bietar Beer Sheva. Dodo Hefer made it 1-0 to Beer Sheva, Hanan Fadida head in the 36^th minutes equal the score. In 57^th minute David Revivo found Oshri Alfasi's head to make it 2-1 to Ashdod. Tzagay made it 2-2 after 69 minutes. One-minute later Ashdod took the lead back, with Boyar's goal. After 3 minutes past El-Masadin closed the scoring at 3-3.

25 goals were score in day 3 of the Israeli Toto cup. See u next week.