JERUSALEM, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Maccabi Tel Aviv won the Israeli League Cup for the eighth time after beating league champions Maccabi Haifa 4-2 on penalties in the coastal city of Netanya on Wednesday night.
Irish legend Robbie Keane celebrated his first title as Tel Aviv's head coach. While goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, who saved two penalties, played a crucial role in the win.
Penalties for Tel Aviv were scored by Eran Zahavi, a two-time top scorer of the Chinese Super League (CSL), Eden Kartsev, Osher Davida and Derick Luckassen, while Anan Khalaily and Pierre Cornud found the net for Haifa in the penalty shootout.
There were very few chances for both sides in the game, which ended goalless after 90 minutes. The penalty shootout took place without playing extra time according to the competition's rules.
Tel Aviv midfielder Dor Peretz missed an excellent chance from close range in the 88th minute, but his team still had the last laugh after the penalties. ■
