Kiryat Shmona win first Israeli trophy

Shlomi Avisidris struck in the 82nd minute as Hapoel Kiryat Shmona FC won their first major trophy by beating Maccabi Petach-Tikva FC 1-0 in the Israeli League Cup final.

Promoted last season and enjoying a successful campaign under former Israeli international defender Ran Ben Shimon, Kiryat Shmona made the decisive blow when Avisidris pounced on a mistake by Petach-Tikva goalkeeper Rubi Levkovitch. However, it took a magnificent double save from Guy Haimov at the death to preserve that advantage.

"Scoring in the final gives me greater pleasure than scoring both the equaliser and the penalty in the semi-final shoot-out," Avisidris said. Ben Shimon added: "It is the third most important trophy in Israel but still a trophy which is always a pleasure to win. I am delighted for the players and the owner."