JERUSALEM, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Maccabi Tel Aviv, coached by Irish legend Robbie Keane, secured the Israeli Premier League title after a 3-0 home win over Hapoel Beer Sheva on Saturday night.
With two rounds left in the season, Tel Aviv has eight points more than second-placed Maccabi Haifa, who won the title in the previous three seasons.
In front of 25,000 fans at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Beer Sheva captain Miguel Vitor was sent off with a red card in the first minute after bringing down Dan Biton who was in a scoring position just outside the box.
Maccabi Tel Aviv went on the scoreboard in the 25th minute from a header by striker Dor Turgeman after an accurate free kick by Biton.
Their lead was doubled in the 33rd minute by defender Ofir Davidzada, thanks to a pass by Angolan international Felicio Milson.
Another successful assist by Milson allowed Ido Shahar to make it 3-0 in the 69th minute on the way to the Tel Aviv club's 25th championship and a spot in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. ■
